Across the many developing and under developing nations a governance system always demands some kind of revolutions which only occur due to transparency and accountability. This system should be functional due to decentralization of government at local level. The accomplishment of these changes relies upon the presence of sound budgetary frameworks at the local level. Budget spending plans have direct links with all parts of administration: including financial policy, anti-corruption unit, social policies and service delivery.
A few days ago in Rawalpindi an event was organized by Accountability Lab with the collaboration of a local organization Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), in which Executive District Officer (EDO) Finance and other district level official were the participants. The purpose of this event was to bring closer to the all official players on social accountability and their sensitization for the proper usage and allocation of the budget. It was very inspiring event which emphasis on to strengthen the local bodies and community via proper allocation of budget according to the desire of the community.
Discussing about the educational budget in Punjab province, it was discussed that the Punjab government presented a budget cost of RS 1.45 trillion for the fiscal year 2015-2016. The Punjab government has allocated over Rs400 billion to development while Rs 310 billion for Education. Distributing the educational budget it, was decided that 500 new schools will be set up all through the province while missing facilities would be given in 7,500 school structures, 7,500 will be reproduced and computer labs will be set up in 990 secondary schools utilizing the development budget. It was talked about how new classrooms and research centers would be set up in colleges for betterment of advanced education while 24,500 new rooms would be inherent schools of Punjab, but the dismal situation of infrastructure and basic facilities in schools remains as it is.
There should be a need to create a successful initiative to enhance accountability and transparency in the budget follow up via citizen engagement. Specifically, the significant issue of the connection between budget information to citizens and enhanced government responsibility stands on rather unstable ground. Alliance between citizens and public officials will help to improve delivery services. Both supply and demand side players necessitate promoting budget transparency and accountability.
