KARACHI: Sindh Government has refused to accept five departments from federation, which are transferring to the provinces under the 18th amendment. The provincial government asked the federation to issue salaries to these employees from surplus poll and also sought the fixed funds of the ministries according to the fiscal budget.As per details, a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah at CM house which reviewed the decision of cabinet committee regarding shifting of five departments to the provinces. CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah told the meeting that several departments of federation are due; to transfer in the provinces under the 18th amendment and in first phase five departments are transferring to Sindh.
He said that the provincial government would control the financial matters under devolution system and would not withdraw from their powers and rights. Five departments including Population Welfare, Zakat-o-Usher, Social Welfare, Youth Affairs and Local Government are being handing over to provinces under devolution system, he added.CM said that the federal government wanted to hand over the departments without financial powers which would be harmful for provinces while only liabilities will also be wrong. He asked the provincial officers to formulate a strategy to inform the federation regarding these reservations. The meeting was informed that some 10 billion rupees in the head of Zakat are deposited in State Bank which should be distributed to concerned areas.The CM further said that some 13 billion rupees are saved in the Labour Ministry which could be used under worker welfare fund. The meeting was also briefed that the federal government has enough amount in the head of Employees Old Age Benefit Institution, which should also be distributed among the provinces.Syed Qaim Ali Shah constituted a committee to formulate a strategy regarding all the issues. Provincial Finance Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Syed Sardar Ahmad, Faisal Sabazwari and other officials attended the meeting – Onlinews
