India-Pakistan to set up JWG on Local Governance

New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will lead a high-level 58-member delegation on a four-day visit to Pakistan begining tomorrow.

Addressing Mediapersons Mr Aiyar said the visit is part of the decision to constitute a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Local Governance.

He said the broad objective of the JWG would be to share the experience of local government in Pakistan and India on regular bases. It would also aim at promoting the cause of good governance in the two countries and the region, explore ways of communicating shared principles on local governance reforms with a view to encourage adoption of appropriate practices by both the countries, design a comprehensive exchange programme among the local government institutions of both the countries and explore ways to enhance the effectiveness of local governance reforms in India and Pakistan as well as in the region.

Mr Aiyar said the JWG will consist of representatives from the Government's of India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan will each provide a Joint Chairman. The Chairman from Pakistan will be Mr Daniyal Aziz- Federal Minister and Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB), Pakistan and Chairman from India will be the Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Two members of National Assembly and two senators from Pakistan (India may nominate counterparts). Ten elected representatives of local goverments in Pakistan (Number of Indian counterparts may be decided by the Minister of Panchayati Raj). Four officials from NRB, Pakistan, four representatives of print and electronic media from Pakistan (India may nominate counterparts) and any other persons may be co-opted as required, he added.

He said initially the group will meet bi-annually. Further details on frequency of meetings will be decided on a need basis by the group.

The record of the meetings will be confined to the actions agreed, agenda items and papers may be tabled by any member of the group with the agreement of the joint Chairman. Statements and reports issued by the group will be signed by the Joint Chairman and a list of issues and actions will be maintained and updated regularly.

The Minister said the first meeting of the JWG will focus on the preparation of a Joint Declaration, containing the final terms of reference for Pakistan-India JWG on Local Governance; membership of the group, areas of cooperation, schedule of meetings and means of regulating the activities of the JWG.

Nomination of focal person witn the secretaries of the NRB and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India and preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NRB, Pakistan and the Panchayati Raj Ministry of India, Mr Aiyar added.

UNI