Chief Secretary orders Population Welfare, Quetta corporation to adopt digital systems

QUETTA: Two-year performance reports of the Population Welfare Department and the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta (MCQ) were presented at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan. The way forward was also discussed. The meeting stressed adopting reforms, transparency and digitisation in the departments on a priority basis.

The departments concerned gave detailed briefings on their performance over the past two years, planning, budget spending and delivery of public services. The Population Welfare Department presented a report on an updated database for population tracking, family planning and public Health programmes. The Metropolitan Corporation Quetta gave a detailed review of its efforts in sanitation, district infrastructure, the district road network, the environment, and the collection of district taxes and revenue.

Digital solutions essential: Chief Secretary

The Chief Secretary said digital solutions were essential to provide better and timely services to the public. He directed both departments to adopt digital platforms at once, integrate their databases and introduce an online monitoring mechanism for transparency. He said modern Technology must be made part of their operations to use public resources effectively and speed up service delivery.

The meeting gave special attention to the financial autonomy of the Metropolitan Corporation Quetta and ways to raise its income. The Chief Secretary directed the corporation to review its existing sources of revenue and improve the systems for property tax, utility fees, markets and parking. He also directed it to keep public concessions while ensuring minimal tax evasion and the recovery of heavy arrears.

He said a strong financial position for the Metropolitan Corporation was the backbone of local development. He said practical and transparent ways of raising income should therefore be devised.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan