PESHAWAR, Nov 12: Political Agents in all seven agencies of Fata are likely to get more financial powers as, according to sources, a government committee has called for bringing the agency-level finance and planning departments under the control of political administrations.

The five-member committee, headed by the secretary finance of Fata Civil Secretariat, had been set up to resolve differences between the agents and the agency-level finance and planning departments over delegation of powers, said the sources, adding that differences emerged after the political agents refused to transfer financial powers to executive officers of the departments.

The creation of the agency-level finance and planning department was a part of the government's much-trumpeted devolution plan for Fata. The government had also set up an agency council, comprising elders of the area, to monitor development schemes and assist political authorities on the law and order situation. However, both the structures, according to officials, proved ineffective.

The sources said that the finance and planning department, set up in each of the seven agencies of Fata, were aimed at bringing transparency and expediency in the existing system; streamlining tax collection and expenditures; and introducing efficient financial management system at the agency level.

However, powers were not delegated to the concerned department, which was also cornered during the preparation of annual development schemes for agencies, said an official.

With favouritism, as regards assigning of development schemes in Fata, going unchecked, it was impossible to bring transparency and financial discipline in the working of the agency-level finance department, he alleged.

The staff of these departments was also refused transport facilities, he said.

"Accounting procedures and financial management are also non-existent. Funds allocated for development and non-developmental sectors lie at the disposal of Pas," said the official.

The sources said that instead of resolving the dispute, the committee recommended that the PAs be further empowered and assigned to submit performance and evaluation report as regards these departments.

The committee had also called for abolishing certain posts in the seven finance and planning departments as many employees had been recruited on contract basis without observing proper procedure.