A delegation from the UK Department for International Development attended a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Sub-National Governance Programme (SNG) Punjab. The delegation included Ms. Honor Flanagan, Head of Governance, DFID, Mr. Ben French, Provincial Representative Punjab and Ms. Claire Vailings. The meeting was organized to review the progress made by the Programme and to approve the work plan for the next year. Departments of Health, School Education, Local Government and Community Development, Finance and Planning and Development (PND) have representation of the Steering Committee.
The SNG Programme supports governance reform by promoting evidence based decision making by provincial and local governments, enhancing their responsiveness to people’s needs, and strengthening their capability to deliver basics services. SNG has also assisted provincial government in formulation of the PFC Award and supports transparency and accessibility of the budget allocation process by conducting need assessments and through interventions like the Citizen’s Budget. It is also supporting the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) software at the district level to ensure effective planning and proper allocation of resources. A District Delivery Challenge Fund has also been instituted by SNG to promote innovative solutions for effective delivery of services to people, especially women, lower income strata and marginalized groups. Government of the Punjab, with assistance of DFID, is currently implementing the Programme in six pilot districts, namely, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Vehari, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar.
Team Leader, SNG Punjab presented an update of the progress made on programme interventions. Irfan Elahi, Chairman P&D in his comments described SNG’s initiatives as ground-breaking for improvements in service delivery and thanked DFID for supporting governance reform in Punjab.