The historic Fiscal Transfers Bill 2012, one of a suite of four, meant to pave the way for local government elections was this evening passed by the National Assembly and the others are scheduled for debate today.
Long-awaited debate on these bills, which have been talked about for a decade, began after the PPP/C agreed to change the intended order of debate. The PPP/C had wanted debate first on two Amaila hydropower project matters but the joint opposition held firm and argued that the elections bills should be debated first.
The Fiscal Transfers bill is aimed at making local authorities financially autonomous. Clause Four of the bill sets out the conditions under which fiscal transfers will be made from central government to the authorities.
Local government elections have not been held since 1994.
