ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: The government has decided to spend 50 per cent of the development budget on local-level projects, having active participation of citizen community boards.

This decision was taken at a meeting between the president’s task force on human development and the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) here on Thursday. NRB Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Tanvir Hussain Naqvi presided over the meeting.

It was observed at the meeting that energizing citizen community boards in local areas would prove useful for community participation and empowerment.

Matters, relating to cooperation between the NRB and the president’s task force to make a proactive citizenry in the country and promote micro development at community level with the active participation of NGOs and philanthropic organizations, were also discussed at the meeting.

The NRB chairman said encouragement of active community participation would create an conducive environment for zealous non-elected citizens and groups to participate in community development and improve service delivery.

A participatory government provided local governance and involved people in decision making, he said.