SWABI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been asked to announce the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) Award 2017-18 under the Local Government Act, 2013, without further delay to give financial responsibility and authority to elected representatives of local bodies.

The demand was made by members of Samaji Behbood Rabita Council (SBRC) and Good Governance District Coalition (GGDC), while addressing a press conference here. They said the government announced the 2016-17 PFC award, but had not yet announced the award for 2017-18 over unknown reasons.

They stressed that early announcement of the commission would help devise a new for-mula for distribution of resources among the districts.

They also demanded of the provincial government to ensure implementation of the local government act, 2013, particularly its section 53, under which PFC has to make recommendations for transfer of funds from the provincial government to the district governments, in letter and spirit.

They said without funds how it could be possible for the local governments to deliver. They stated that PFC Award was vital for devolution of `financial responsibility and authority to elected representatives of local governments`.

`If PFC award is not announced it will weaken the local government system, making it very difficult for the elected representatives to deliver as per aspirations of citizens,` Rohal Amin, president of SBRC, pointed out.

He said SBRC and GGDC had had urged theprovincial government to take immediate steps to announce the PFC Award as more delay would create doubts in hearts of the people and donor agencies.

Theyexpressedhope thattheprovincialgovernment would realize its commitment towards democracy and would strengthen the local governments by giving them more liberty in use of theirunancialshare.

The SBRC has been working with civil society in Swabi district for more than five years to promote a citizen-friendly budget.

On the occasion, local government representatives alleged the district nazim created hurdles in the working of the councillors belonging to the opposition parties.

They demanded that it should be ensured thatthe districtgovernmentmembers,whether from PTI or other parties, should be provided equal share in development funds.