Chairman Planning & Development Irfan Elahi has said that under the umbrella of Department for International Development (DFID) Sub-National Governance Programme (SNG) is playing a positive role for the development at district level in Punjab. He was addressing a meeting here today. Representatives of DFID Ms. Honor Flagagan, Head of Governance, Mr. Ben French, Provincial Representative Punjab, Ms. Claire Vailings, Secretary Health Jawad Rafique, Secretary Schools Abdul Qadir Shaheen, Additional Secretary Local Government Sara Aslam were also present on the occasion.
The meeting was organized to review progress of the programme and to approve the work plan for the next year. Irfan Elahi said that SNG Programme supports governance reforms by promoting evidence based decisions-making by provincial and local governments, enhancing their responsiveness to peoples’ needs besides strengthening their capability to deliver basic services. He said that SNG has also assisted provincial government in formulation of PFC Award and also supports transparency and assess ability of the budget allocation process by conducting need assessment and through interventions like the citizen’s budget. He said that it is also supporting the use of geographical information system GIS software at the district level to ensure effective planning and proper allocation of resources. He said that a district delivery challenge fund has also been instituted by SNG to promote innovative solutions for effective delivery of services to people, especially women, lower income strata and marginalized groups.
The team leader of SNG Punjab presented an update on the progress made on the programme intervention. He also added that Punjab government with the assistance of DFID is currently implementing the programme in six pilot districts namely, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahaudddin, Vehari, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar. Irfan Ehali, Chairman P&D described SNG’s initiative as ground breaking for improvement in service delivery and thanked the DFID for supporting governance reforms in Punjab.