455 LGs to be formed for development schemes: Mian Aslam.

LAHORE -- Provincial Information and Culture Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal said on Tuesday that 455 local governments would be formed for implementation on development schemes across Punjab.

Addressing a news conference here, he said that provincial cabinet approved amendments in Local Government Act 2019, adding that elections of Neighbourhood Council and Village Council would be held on non-party basis, while citizens could elect Mayor of their respective district through direct voting system.

Mian Aslam said that government had also fulfilled minority communities' demand of dual voting, as they could now vote for both reserved and general seats. Returning Officer, he continued, would announce election result and in case of complaints, Election Tribunal would decide the matter in the light of Election Act.

He mentioned that cabinet also approved amendments in Punjab Village Punchayat and Neighbourhood Council Act 2019. Similarly, permission was also granted for delimitation of local areas under demarcation of Local Areas Rules 2019.

Provincial cabinet also granted approval for making changes in Punjab Municipal Services Programmme, he said and asserted that under this programmme, construction of roads, drainage schemes, education and health programmes would be completed across the province with a cost of Rs 24 billion.

The cabinet, he said, also granted approval in heritage and urban regeneration programmes for promotion of tourism in Lahore Fort and its buffer zones under which privacy rooms and other parts would be restored. According to this programme Akbari Gate would be opened and new Fort Museum would be established and Sikh Gallery would be renovated. In order to implement this project, he said, French Development Agency would provide US $ 25.8 million soft loan.

Mian Aslam Iqbal said the PTI government was bringing such a local government system that would resolve public problem at their door step and local government institutions would be fully empowered. He cited that from 2002 to 2008, Mayor used to hold office of Chairman LDA...