Functions Of Chief Officer

Chapter – XI

Duties of Certain Functionaries

36.       Duties and powers of Chief Officer.– (1)    In addition to any other duty assigned to him under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, a Chief Officer shall:

(a)        work as the principal accounting officer of the local government;

(b)       assist and advise the Head of a local government, Speaker, committees and sub-committees of the Council in proper discharge of their duties under this Act;

(c)        ensure timely, effective and efficient implementation of local government policy and decisions;

(d)       supervise and control officers and servants of the local government and coordinate and synergize the work of all offices of the local government;

(e)        maintain financial and administrative discipline and ensure that the business of the local government is carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of this Act and other laws for the time being in force;

(f)        enter into and manage all contracts on behalf of a local government, with the approval of the Head of a local government;

(g)       undertake all procurements on behalf of a local government;

(h)       maintain records pertaining to the functions of a local government;

(i)        act for and on behalf of a local government, in every action or other legal proceedings whether instituted by or against the local government;

(j)        assist relevant authorities in the circumstances of emergency; and

(k)       perform such other duties as are assigned to him by the Government, Secretary, Head of a local government, Council or a committee or sub-committee of the Council.

(2)       A Chief Officer shall, in relation to the above duties, exercise:

(a)        such powers as are conferred upon him under this Act or any other law for the time being in force;

(b)       such powers of the local government as are delegated upon him by the Council through a resolution; and

(c)        such powers of the Head of the local government as are delegated upon him by the Head of the local government.

37.       Attendance of Council meetings by Chief Officer. – The Chief Officer shall, when required by the Speaker, attend a meeting of the Council or a committee or sub-committee of the Council and render such advice or provide such assistance as may reasonably be required of him.

Source: Punjab Local Government Act 2022, Chapter XI, Act 36 and 37