Zafar Chishti
Toba Tek Singh: Assistant Director, Local Government (ADLG) Kamalia Bushra Chadhar has said that the Local Government Department is playing a vital role in ensuring effective administration of Union Councils, maintaining civil registration records and improving public service delivery in rural areas.She said that the ADLG serves as the administrator of all Union Councils in the tehsil and is responsible for supervising, monitoring and inspecting their performance to ensure compliance with government policies, rules and regulations. Regular oversight helps improve administrative efficiency, promote transparency and ensure that citizens receive essential municipal and civil registration services without unnecessary delays.Bushra Chadhar explained that one of the key responsibilities of the Local Government Department is the registration of vital events, including births, deaths, marriages and divorces, through Union Councils and Municipal Committees. The ADLG authorises the issuance of computerised certificates relating to these events, enabling citizens to obtain official documentation for legal, administrative and other essential purposes.She said that the department also maintains checks and balances on Nikah registration to ensure that the prescribed legal procedures are followed. Particular attention is given to the implementation of provincial laws, including the Child Marriage Restraint Act, to discourage unlawful practices and ensure compliance with the relevant legal framework.The ADLG also serves as the Chairman of the Arbitration Council in divorce-related matters under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961. The council performs its statutory responsibilities in accordance with the applicable law, including matters concerning reconciliation proceedings where required.Highlighting the department’s wider administrative responsibilities, Bushra Chadhar said that the ADLG also supervises and monitors public service activities in rural areas. These responsibilities include inspection and monitoring of the Suthra Punjab cleanliness initiative, checking the performance of filtration plants, and overseeing activities carried out under the Dengue Prevention Campaign and the Dog Culling Campaign.She added that under the Dengue Prevention Campaign, Union Council teams respond to Dengue Vector Report (DVR) complaints and carry out Third-Party Verification (TPV) activities under the supervision of the ADLG. These measures help monitor field performance, verify reported activities and support efforts to prevent the spread of dengue through improved surveillance and timely action.The officer further said that the Local Government Department works in close coordination with the Assistant Commissioner Kamalia to implement various government development and public welfare initiatives. These include the Dhee Rani Programme, Apna Khet Apna Rozgar and other government campaigns aimed at supporting communities and extending public services to deserving citizens.Bushra Chadhar emphasised that effective coordination among local government officials, Union Council staff and the tehsil administration is essential for improving governance and ensuring the successful implementation of government initiatives. She said that continuous monitoring, responsible administration and adherence to the law remain important for strengthening the performance of local government institutions and facilitating the public.
