Empowering those left out

The Sindh government has taken some steps in the right direction to empower local government bodies (LBs), but the proposed measures fall short of the fiscal, administrative and legislative autonomy the civic bodies need to manage their functions efficiently and independently. Things will become clearer once the Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) announces its award within 180 days from the date of its constitution. It is stated that tax collection has also been included in the provincial financial award formula for the first time. While the overall arrangement does have notable merit, it remains to be seen how the next PFC award would empower the civic bodies to raise local taxes. Some experts suggest that district governments should be authorised to collect tax on farm incomes. They argue that since the tax revenue will be spent in the local constituency from where it is raised, the palpable benefits would encourage farmers of the economically backward rural area to pay their due taxes.