The functions and powers of the Zila Nazim

[amjad hafeez]

Thanks Muskan and Atifch...
Here are some suggestions to make this devolution plan viable and compatible with the needs of our social and political system.
(1)DCO should be given the task of law and order and law enforcing agencies at his disposal.It will minimize the political interference of the local politicians in police affairs because of the neutrality of the civil servant.

(2)Panchait and Jirga system at the UC level to decide minor cases relating to divorce and other domestic feuds.It will decrease the burden of judicial system to deal with more serious matters and make it more efficient.The UC may take the action by majority vote against any decision.

(3)The responsibilities of the district nazim must be limited to the developmental work and muncipilities.

(4)The right of the provincial government to remove Dstrict nazim must be abolished.It is against the spirit of the local empowerment.It always lurks as a threat for nazim to yield to the party in power when he belongs to the opposition party.

(5)The system of Zakat must be devolved at the UC level.The UC must collect and disburse it among the people at that level.For transparency UC should be made to show their annual details of the collection and make it public.It will make people economically self sufficient and lead them to real democracy because economic empowerment is prerequisite to the political empowerment.

(6)Local bodies elections should be on party basis.It will minimize biradri politics in rural areas and force the political parties to have their roots at the lowest strata of the society.It will also ensue the political training of the general masses.

[atifch]

thats very good sir .
but sir g if judicial powers are delegated to uc then i guess there will be a great mess and there would be great integration of powers with u c and as the saying goes;
every power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
thanx.

[amjad hafeez]

Atifch, my contention is the revival of panchait system for minor offences in domestic feuds etc. UC can act as arbitrator or third party to solve such problems.It is well established that the ultimate solution of these problems is settlement.And rival parties after years of judicial tussle embrace each other. If they can do so through courts then why not by the UC at local level.

[atifch]

asalam o alikum
sir in judicial system everthing moves in a systematic way for example if any party feels disatisfied wih any decision of the court it has many other remidies in shape of 1st 2nd and 3rd appeal ....and many other such things so the chance of error is greatly reduced ..
so if the pucnchait system is revived wat would be other forums to agitate its decision ...i guess they will be courts again...
secondly in recent years mal practices like vani etc are outcome of punchaiyet system ...
take care

[amjad hafeez]

Atifch you are very right.But my suggestion is to have UC as arbitration body instead of decision making body.And this panchait system must be regulated by the local government so that malpractices against women are not perpetrated.The people in UC know the local people well and can convince them.And if they don,t agree with that then they can go for judicial proceedings.

You must have seen a panchait system(Nehri Panchait) in villages by Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority to arbitrate problems of irrigation system related to farmers.

[atifch]

hmmm now i ve got ur point ...good suggestion ...
thanx for making urself clear.
GOD BLESS U.

[amjad777]

AoA,

Its really interesting topic, I realy like your discussion. I would like to comment as:-

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

Thanks Muskan and Atifch...
Here are some suggestions to make this devolution plan viable and compatible with the needs of our social and political system.
(1)DCO should be given the task of law and order and law enforcing agencies at his disposal.It will minimize the political interference of the local politicians in police affairs because of the neutrality of the civil servant.

See previously DCs were having the same role, do you want to give DCOs same kind of powers? if yes, then why there is need to develop new system??

Please go through POLICE REFORMS and

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION,
it is specifically there to solve that sort of issues.

DISCUSS ON THAT

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

(2)Panchait and Jirga system at the UC level to decide minor cases relating to divorce and other domestic feuds.It will decrease the burden of judicial system to deal with more serious matters and make it more efficient.The UC may take the action by majority vote against any decision.

Please check MASALE HAT Committees are already established at UC level, I think you mean that. So its integral part of system, it might take time to implement all the aspect of this system. I think its quire comprehensive system and need more time for proper understanding by general public.

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

(3)The responsibilities of the district nazim must be limited to the developmental work and muncipilities.

District Nazim is the executive of District. Development work is a participatory process and you can consult to District Development Committees DDC, previously District Nazim was the chairman of this but not DCO is the chairman of DDC.

So how you think about that, DCO is less powers????

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

(4)The right of the provincial government to remove Dstrict nazim must be abolished.It is against the spirit of the local empowerment.It always lurks as a threat for nazim to yield to the party in power when he belongs to the opposition party.

I agree to you in this regard. There should be legal and democratic process of removal of District Nazim not by upper house, rather from District Council, because District council members elects Naib Nazim so this forum can be used for the purpose.

You can discuss.....

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

(5)The system of Zakat must be devolved at the UC level.The UC must collect and disburse it among the people at that level.For transparency UC should be made to show their annual details of the collection and make it public.It will make people economically self sufficient and lead them to real democracy because economic empowerment is prerequisite to the political empowerment.

First think that are our UCs have capacity to do so?? (Human resources, Financial and technical experties).
If District governments are unable to make a transparent system with more capacity and check and balance so how you can expect that from UC level??

Except Urban UCs there are several rural UCs how you can make balance between them. Means mostly revenue is generated from Urban UCs and then equally distributed to all UCs. If that system will implemented then the whole senario will be changed. Am I right??

Originally Posted by amjad hafeez

(6)Local bodies elections should be on party basis.It will minimize biradri politics in rural areas and force the political parties to have their roots at the lowest strata of the society.It will also ensue the political training of the general masses.

Dear, in some part of the countries elections are won on biradari-ism. (Like in my district "Mansehra").

Political parties are already involved in the process as we all noticed in previous LG elections.

My observation is that now one family member of elite is Tehsil Nazim or Naib Nazim, One is MPA, One is contesting for MNA, Senet and also District Nazim-Naib Nazim.

So comment of that as well.


NOW FROM MY SIDE.

The system is realy a balanced system on paper, you can find better system in place. There are some short commings those can be recognized as the process moves on and can be rectified.
See the case of CCBs parallel with Councils and Village and Naighbour-hood council.

My observation is that people will take some time to understand the system and the gradual process will prove that this is a good system.

Tell me how many people realy understand this system till now???

So don't say that there is nothing good in this system. There are short commings, political and bureaucratic challanges, those need to be solved.

TOGETHER WE CAN ALL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

So do your best to support the idea, and share innovation from your side for improving the system.

I am thankfull that you started this discussion. I am also glad that you have the indepth knowledge of this system as well.

Hope I will receive feedback on my comments and questions.

Regards

[amjad777]

It is already posted

[amjad hafeez]

Thanks amjad sahib for such an enlightened post..
Presently i am busy and will comment soon about the above mentioned stuff .

[amjad777]

I will love to have your good and analytical feedback, progressive and constructive one. I think that sort of critical thinking and analysis will be helpfull in understanding the system, its problems and possible sloutions.

This the way to suggest for improvements. I hope you will be having some good staff.

cheers