KARACHI, Aug 19 After a heated debate on the fate of the existing local body system, introduced by a military dictator under the 2001 devolution plan, the city council on Wednesday adopted a resolution urging the federal and provincial governments to continue with the system after necessary amendments. The resolution also sought maximum powers for union councils and steps to make them financially viable.

The resolution was moved jointly by both sides of the aisle, but when it came to voting, the opposition members marched out of the house.

At the outset, the session was presided over by senior presiding officer Masood Mehmud, who was replaced by Syed Abrar-ul-Hasan later.

As soon as the council resumed its session, leader of the house Asif Siddiqui stood up on a point of order and drew the attention of the house to the “growing uncertainty” about the fate of the local body system, saying conflicting reports appeared in the media.

He said the issue was very important and of public interest as it was related to the present democratic dispensation, adding that there could be no two views on the concept that democracy could not flourish without a local body system.

He urged the presiding officer and members of the house to take the issue seriously and dedicate the day's business to the issue by setting aside other business. At the same time, the house should pass a resolution on this vital issue, he added.

The presiding officer opened the debate after seeking views of both treasury and opposition members.

Taking part in the debate, opposition member Zahid Syed remarked that this house being the custodian of all union councils should have safeguarded their interests. But, he regretted, this was not done as the opposition union councils were discriminated against in provision of funds.

He said that under the devolution plan of 2001, powers were delegated to the city nazim instead of the union councils which, according to him, was the basic flaw of the system.

The opposition member suggested that suitable amendments be made to the SLGO 2001 by giving effective powers to the union councils.

Nazim's unfulfilled commitment

The opposition member also criticised the city nazim for his failure to honour his commitment made to the union council nazims about providing Rs2.5 million to each nazim of the opposition union council for uplift schemes of their respective areas.

His speech was followed by another opposition member, Imran Baghpatti, who supported the current agenda of the house, adding that although he would have preferred to discuss the skyrocketing prices, which had perturbed everyone.

Mr Baghpatti said the 2001 devolution system was introduced to provide basic facilities to the people at their doorsteps, but the system was not effectively devolved as powers were not delegated to the union councils, which were elective bodies, directly elected by the people.

However, treasury leader Abdul Jalil defended the system, saying that the idea of introducing the 2001 devolution plan was to provide basic facilities to the poor people at their doorsteps.

Mr Jalil said the system had greatly helped mitigate the people's sufferings in judicial matters also, saying that the availability of union council members at the grass-roots level was the basic characteristic of the system which other systems lacked.

He stressed that all-out efforts be made to protect the LG system. However, he suggested that suitable amendments could be made in the SLGO to make the functioning of the union councils more effective.

The treasury went on to say that every decision should be taken in safeguarding the interest of the people, adding that the Haq Parast members would continue to serve the people.

Reciprocating the sentiments, opposition member Ramzan Awan said every effort should be made to protect the system. He suggested that flaws in the system be removed and powers devolved to the union councils.

Opposition leader Juman Darwan observed that the local government system should strengthen democracy and help solve the people's problems.

He said in 2001 devolution did take place, but powers were delegated to the city nazim instead of the union councils, whose members were directly elected.

Mr Darwan said the system had inherent merits and demerits which needed to be rectified. Under this system, the opposition leader said the union councils were rendered ineffective because of lack of financial powers being concentrated by the city nazim in his own hands.

He said although good things did take place in the city after the devolution, development funds meant for opposition union councils were not given to them.

The opposition leader said the commitments made by the city nazim at the budget session of the council were yet to be fulfilled. He said a house delegation be constituted to meet the city nazim to seek the release of funds of the UC nazims.

His suggestion was not responded to as the presiding officer ruled that under the prevailing uncertain situation nobody could say with certainty what would happen the next day.

In his concluding remarks, treasury leader Asif Siddiqui traced the history of the local government system, saying that it was first introduced by the British government in the subcontinent. Popularly known as the basic democracy system during the era of military dictator Ayub Khan, he said, the system was enforced at the grass-roots level. A lot of development works took place in the country during that period. Thereafter, it was introduced by military ruler Zia-ul-Haq and then in 2001 the system was reintroduced by yet another dictator.

Mr Siddiqui said a strong local government, accessible to the people, was the essence of democracy and it would serve the people's needs at the grass-roots level.

He observed that the local government system introduced in Bombay under an act still existed as it was being amendment from time to time to adapt it to the prevailing situations.

The treasury leader also suggested that the 2001 devolution system be reinforced by delegating more powers to the union councils by amending the relevant SLGO.

Several treasury and opposition members took part in the debate. They included Arshad Qureshi, Abdul Razzak, Islamuddin, Qarar Husain, Suleman Mujahid Baloch Mohammad Yaqub and Rafia Ehtisham.

Corruption at grass-roots' level

When some members pointed out that the SLGO 2001 had taken corruption to grass-roots level, house leader Asif Siddiqui interrupted and remarked “It was part of the overall national culture.”

Treasury leader Arshad Qureshi joined by other treasury members defended the system and alleged that certain elements in the bureaucracy were conspiring against the system.

Opposition members belonging to Al-Khidmat Group praised former city nazim Niamatullah Khan for his services to the city and popularising the concept of the city government.

However, when presiding officer Syed Abrarul Hasan put the joint resolution for a vote, it was adopted unanimously as the opposition members had staged a walkout.

The house also passed a unanimous resolution eulogising the services of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, and decided to award them gold medals in recognition of their services.

The presiding officer adjourned the session to meet again on Thursday at 12.30 pm.