On Monday, PA is expected to approve the Punjab Local Government Bill.

In a major step towards reorganising the local governance structure, the Punjab administration agreed to approve a new Local administration (Amendment) Bill in the Punjab Assembly on Monday.

The Standing Committee on Local Government of the Punjab Assembly has already given its approval to the bill.

The Election Commission has directed that local government elections be held in accordance with the current Local Government Act 2022, therefore the expected passage presents a significant political challenge for the government.

A lawsuit between the Election Commission and the provincial administration could result from the government’s plan to hold elections under the new statute.

The bill declares the entire Lahore district to be an urban region and suggests restoring the Union Council structure.

According to ECP, Punjab will hold local government elections in December.

In places where the population is more than 700,000, town corporations will be formed.

Union Councils will have the authority to create reconciliation committees, collect taxes, fines, and penalties, and create budgets. Additionally, they will be permitted to run initiatives involving public-private partnerships.

The bill creates Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), which will get the remaining 80% of government funds and contribute 20% to development projects.

The assets of CBOs will only be utilised for organisational objectives, and they will be recognised as non-profit organisations.

Local governments will be in charge of land use planning, butcher shops, public sanitation, water supply, private markets and road naming. Deputy Commissioners will be part of all district authorities.