LAHORE, Nov 4: Under the next phase of devolution plan, the federal government would downsize the ministries and divisions whose counterparts existed at the provincial level.

Federal local bodies and labour minister Omar Asghar Khan told Dawn here on Sunday that minimum staff would be retained to run the federal ministries like education, health etc. and the funds so saved would be allocated to provinces for undertaking various development projects.

Answering a question about the fate of the employees rendered surplus due to the exercise, he said they would be sent to the surplus pool and a decision about their future would be taken later. The strength of staff would be rationalized even at provincial and district level, he added.

“In the past, all financial resources were concentrated in Islamabad but the current government would transfer them to provinces which would distribute them among the districts,” Mr Khan said.

About the time frame set for the completion of transitory period for local councils, Mr Khan said the councils had started functioning from Aug 17 last. The issues affecting their working were being solved by the four provinces according to their specific requirements, he added.

Relying to another question, he said so far there was no need to give constitutional cover to the new district government system. “It is a provincial subject and the federal government will intervene only if it feels that a third tier of government is required in the country.”

Admitting that there were loopholes in the new system, he said the success of the system depended upon its working.

He said the Local Government Commission would be made functional soon for checking deviation by the district governments from rules and regulations.

The devolution committee of the chief executive was also analysing the feedback received from various quarters and was making amendments in the devolution plan accordingly, Mr Khan said, adding a report would soon be prepared to set parameters for the new system.

Speaking at a workshop on National Consultation on Good Governance at a local hotel, the minister said the local bodies ordinance was not the final word and amendments might be introduced in it keeping in view future requirements.

He urged the elected representatives to take initiative in solving problems of the people of their respective areas instead of waiting for provision of funds and completion of business rules.

About checks and balances in the new system, he said 50 per cent members of public safety commissions would be nominated by the district Nazim and the rest would be selected from various walks of life. District Ombudsmen were also being appointed shortly who would be men of integrity, he added.

About the representation of women councillors in various committees, Omar Asghar Khan said it had been decided in principal that women would be given one-third representation on all forums and committees in the new system. If there was any violation of the principal, a voice must be raised against it, he added.

He stressed that steps should be taken to make the elected representatives literate so that they could learn about their powers and responsibilities.

About the ban on political activities in the country, he said work on holding general elections was continuing and the ban on political activities would be lifted at a suitable time.

He said that a reasonable time would be given to the political parties for the preparation of elections.