GBLA discusses "Local Bodies Bill – 2011", absence of Urdu draft irks lawmakers

GILGIT, Sept 14: The government on Wednesday tabled the Local Bodies Bill-2011 in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly.

Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed chaired the session.

After tabling the bill, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Wazir Shakil briefed the House on it.

He said after political reforms, the mountainous region needed legislation on local bodies.

The chair later referred the bill to the House`s Standing Committee on Law for consideration and opinion.

Lawmaker Didar Ali complained that his repeated calls to the government for provision of Urdu version of the bills had fallen on deaf ears.

He said most members were unable to comprehend English and therefore, Urdu version of the proposed laws should also be provided to them along with original bills.

The chair directed the law minister to ensure early provision of the Urdu translation of the bill tabled to the members.

Leader of the Opposition Bashir Ahmad criticised the government for ignoring a resolution unanimously passed by the House for division of Gilgit-Baltistan into three divisions for good governance.

He said the government should respect the will of the people`s elected representatives.

The law minister said the cabinet would consider the matter in its next meeting.

Another member Raziuddin Rizvi regretted that the Departmental Development Working Party had no representation of the legislators.

The chair sought the government`s explanation on the matter but referred it to the relevant standing committee at the request of the planning and development minister.

Education Minister Dr Ali Madad Sher told the House that his department had sacked 25 officials after an inquiry found their appointments against the rules.

Chief Minister Mehdi Shah told house that the posts advertised before the recent ban on employment in government departments would be filled.

Special prayers offered: The chief minister arranged a function at his house to pray for the people of the whole country in general and those of the flooding-hit Sindh in particular.

Cabinet members, lawmakers and notables were in attendance in large numbers.

Courtesy: DAWN