KARACHI: The Sindh Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2021 has finally become law, for which a formal notification has been issued, indicating further escalation in the opposition’s ongoing campaign against the provincial government.
The LG bill, which has been termed a black law by almost all opposition parties, was first passed by the assembly last month. As per constitutional requirement, the bill was sent to the Sindh governor for his assent. However, he returned the legislation with some 10 objections to the assembly for reconsideration.
According to Article 116 of the Constitution: “When the Governor has returned a Bill to the Provincial Assembly, it shall be reconsidered by the provincial assembly and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment, by the provincial assembly, by the votes of majority of the members of the provincial assembly present and voting, it shall be again presented to the Governor and the Governor shall give his assent within 10 days, failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given.”
According to the notification issued by the Sindh Assembly, under the amended Local Government Act, District Councils will be dissolved in Karachi, District Municipal Corporations will be abolished and new towns will be created.
Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi Cardiology Institute and Spencer Eye Hospital KMC will be transferred to the provincial government. Under the applicable local government law, each council will have at least one seat for eunuchs and special persons.
According to the amended Local Government Act, property tax will be collected by the Town Municipal Councils and the Vice Chairman of the Union Committee will be a member of the Town Municipal Council.
Sindh Assembly passes LG bill
The LG bill was first passed by the assembly last month. As per constitutional requirement, the bill was sent to the Sindh governor for his assent. However, he returned the legislation with some 10 objections to the assembly for reconsideration.
On Dec 11, the ruling party had addressed some of the objections raised by the governor, including removing a clause that allowed election of mayor/chairman through secret ballot and reviving a condition that only an elected LG representative can contest the mayoral election when it got passed the LG bill again.
However, the provincial government had refused to return the functions of health and education to municipalities that it in the words of opposition had ‘snatched’ from the local governments and passed the bill, which was sent to the governor again for his assent.
According to Article 116 of the Constitution, with or without the governor’s assent, “After 12 days it [LG bill] will stand implemented automatically across the province,” said a spokesperson for Governor House.
