The Punjab Assembly has okayed the Punjab Local Government Bill (PLGA) 2022, under which the quota for youth reserved seats has been increased to enhance their involvement in LGs.
The decision was taken during a meeting held by the cabinet on Thursday, where the PLGA 2022 was approved. Under the bill, four divisional headquarters will also be set up in Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Additionally, nine metropolitan corporations will be established in five large cities, namely Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi. The town administration will also be reinstated in these cities, to make sure that the basic municipalities are functioning uniformly.
14 municipal corporations will also be put in place in fast growing cities, which include Sheikhupura, Ferozewala, Jhang, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Kasur, Burewala, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Kamoke, Muzaffargarh, Jhelum, Muridke and Sadiqabad.
According to the bill, women representation in the higher tiers of the LG will be increased by 33%, and the heads of the LG will be authorized to select officers from a panel and surrender them back to the board.
To settle disputes and protect the autonomy of the LG by acting as a warden, the Punjab Local Government Commission will be formed. Its functions will be removing hurdles in the functioning of LGs, conducting audits and inquiries, and noticing any violation of laws.
Additionally, 10 provincial departments will be devolved to district level for more efficient and accessible functioning. These departments include primary health, primary education, social welfare, family planning, sports, transport, civil defense, public health, arts and culture and tourism.
