–Basharat says 22,000 panchayats will replace 3,100 UCs–Govt will transfer Rs40bn directly to LG bodies to empower representativesLAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja on Wednesday said that the new local bodies system in Punjab will transfer the powers at grassroots in real sense. He also said that new local bodies system will ensure transparency, accountability and sustainable development across the province and a two-tier administrative infrastructure will be introduced in it. Talking about the structure of new system at the rural level, he said that tehsil councils and panchayat will be introduced against district council and union councils of the previous system. He further said that 22,000 panchayats will replace 3,100 UCs in the new system and added that this would broaden the scope of public representation. He said that elections of panchayat and neighborhood council would be held on a non-party basis while the local bodies’ elections will be direct and party-based.

Source: Pakistan Today April 10, 2019 14:59 UTC