Amid scenes of utter chaos, vocal protests, and brawl by the opposition, the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in its 26th November 2021 sitting passed the Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill. Since then, opposition joints in against the amendment and starts protest across city, calling Sindh local government (Amendment) act as “black law”. The opposition parties accusing the ruling party of weakening the municipal authorities and taking over control of all major areas of administration and social development.
On the other side, the ruling PPP is claiming that the local government law adopted by the Sindh government was better than the municipal systems of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad. According to its chairman, the Pakistan People’s Party would empower local bodies. ”Property tax will directly be given to local bodies and education, health and law departments of each town would be answerable to the elected bodies.”
Major amendments in the Sindh Local Government Bill 2021 are listed below:
8, In section 18
i, 5% allocated for youth members, Non-Muslims and Laborer, 1% for the transgender and person with disabilities.
b, reserved seats to the extent 33% for the women member.
c, Town Municipal Corporation shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively from amongst its members elected by show of hands.
17, in Schedule-V
(Metropolitan corporation may collect taxes/ Fees from)
12, Advertisement tax from roads, bridges, underpasses etc, being maintained by metropolitan corporation
13, Fire and building safety Inspection fees
14, Tax On marriage halls/clubs
15, Cess on any taxes levied by the Government.
18, SCHEDULE-IX
RELATION BETWEEN ELECTED COUNCIls AND PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS
1, EDUCATION:
Principal of Primary/ Secondary school shall submit a quarterly report to the union council/ union Committee/ Town committee on overall function of institute. Council shall deliberate on such reports and send their observations to the head of the concerned institution and a copy to the School Education Department Government of Sindh.
2, PRIMARY HEALTH:
Incharge of Public sector Primary health care institute shall submit a quarterly report to the union council/ union Committee/ Town committee on overall function of institute. Council shall deliberate on such reports and send their observations to the head of the concerned institution and a copy to the Head of institute and Health Department Government of Sindh.
3, SECONDARY HEALTH:
Incharge of Public sector Secondary health care institute shall submit a quarterly report to the union council/ union Committee/ Town committee on overall function of institute. Council shall deliberate on such reports and send their observations to the head of the concerned institution and a copy to the Head of institute and Health Department Government of Sindh.
4, LAW & ORDER:
The Senior Superintendent of Police of a District shall coordinate with Choirman or Mayor of the Council for effective functioning of the police as per district policing plan.
5, AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK:
The District Incharge of Agriculture & livestock shall submit a quarterly report to the union council/ union Committee/ Town committee on the situation. In general pest attacks, health of the crop, health of livestock. pandemic/epidemic. Council shall deliberate on such reports and assist in dissemination of information to the local population.
6, EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN:
The council would submit quarterly reports to the Government on challenges faced by women in their area of responsibility.
7, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS & MINORITY AFFAIRS:
The District incharge of Religious Affairs and Minorities shall submit quarterly report regarding events and general condition of shrines, Durghas, mosques, churches and all other places of worship in their area of jurisdiction to the Council concerned.
8, SPORTS:
District incharge of youth affairs and sports shall submit quarterly report. regarding sports events and general condition of sporting facilities to the Council concerned.
9, EMPOWERMENT OF PERSON WITH DISABILITIES:
Council shall take measures for welfare and betterment of persons with disabilities. The Council shall ensure that all development work carried out by such Council is inclusive in nature.
Looking at those amendments, it seems that ruling party narrative carries more weight. Looks like the problem of opposition parties MQM, JI, and to some extent PTI is that their respective monopolies will be challenged on what seems to be their only bases—linguistics and religion—by empowering endow to the people through this bill.
