Muzaffarabad, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, announced that the government has released 411 million rupees to local bodies, marking the first phase of funding since the formation of the coalition government under Chaudhry Anwar Haq’s leadership. The funds aim to support local development projects and strengthen local governance.

According to Press Information Department – Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the released funds will be allocated to each union council in rural local bodies and to corporations and district councils in the second phase. The amount of 411 million rupees will be distributed among local body representatives, providing a much-needed boost to construction and development projects.

Minister Rathore explained that the funds will help address the anxiety among local body representatives due to delays in funding and will accelerate progress in local development. He highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening local government institutions and mentioned that local government representatives would receive training to better utilize their powers and generate their own resources.

During the announcement in his office chamber, Minister Rathore stated that while the coalition government has faced numerous challenges, it is working in the right direction. He acknowledged that it is not possible to solve decades-old problems in a short time, but emphasized the government’s strong desire to correct the system and improve governance.

Secretary of Local Government and Rural Development, Syed Shahid Mohiuddin Qadri, provided additional details about the funding distribution. He noted that the funds are being provided from the Mid-Block Provision for New Initiatives of the Local Government and Rural Development Program 2023-24. He added that local bodies will be able to levy taxes, with training sessions planned to help local body representatives understand their responsibilities and powers.

The announcement underscores the government’s efforts to empower local bodies and support local development, fostering a more effective and responsive governance structure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.