MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Local government (LG) representatives of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have asked the government to release development funds by April 20 otherwise they would announce future course of action to meet their demands.
The Coordination Committee of the LG representatives met at Rawalakot to discuss the contentious issue of distribution of funds.
The huddle reviewed in detail the progress in the government-representatives talks and smooth implementation on the agreed points besides the AJK High Court decision on the subject.
Support for LG Act 1990
After the meeting, Chairman District Council Poonch and Coordination Committee Focal Person, Sardar Javed Sharif said that the meeting discussed in detail all the aspects of the issue and decided to support the LG Act 1990.
He rejected the distribution of funds under the head of grant-in-aid and demanded immediate release of development of funds as the budget.
“Failing to this will lead us convene another meeting on April 20 to announce the future course of action,” warned Sharif.
The LG representatives also sought increase in the local government funds in the next budget.
The AJK government and local government representatives had announced to end the deadlock over the distribution of development funds and related issues on Friday following “successful negotiations”.
AJK Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, and Chairman District Council Poonch, Sardar Javed Sharif, announced the breakthrough after concluding talks at Kashmir House in federal capital Islamabad.
They jointly announced that all matters concerning LG representatives have been resolved.
Rathore said the talks thoroughly reviewed all outstanding issues including the distribution of funds.
Sharif also confirmed the successful outcome of the negotiations, saying that all matters had been settled in principle.
However, he said, a formal announcement would be made on April 8 after the details would be presented in a meeting of the LG representatives’ coordination committee.
