DOHA: Installed more than 11 years ago (in early 1999) as the country's first elected body with only consultative authority, the Central Municipal Council (CMC) has eventually been armed with some executive powers.
The law (No. 12 of 1998) regulating the Council has been amended giving it some executive powers at least with regard to municipal affairs and affairs to do with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Al Sharq reported yesterday.
And, disciplinary action can be taken against a member who is absent from three consecutive sessions of the Council without any valid reason, says the amendment.
The Council has been given the legal authority to monitor and ensure that relevant laws and rules are applied while executing a civic project whether being done by the municipal ministry or Ashghal.
The Council can launch investigation in matters to do with key affairs such as planning, projects, economic, social and administrative issues of the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning as well as of Ashghal.
The law, though, maintains that the Council forwards its decisions and recommendations to the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning or to the director of Ashghal.
The Minister of the Director has the right to object to the Council's decisions or recommendations within 21 days and refer the objections to the Council.
But if the Council feels that the objections raised are not appropriate, the Minister or Ashghal's director must forward the said decision or recommendations to the State Cabinet.
The Cabinet decision in that regard would be considered final. The Chairman of the Council has the right to invite Ashghal every six months and question its officials about various projects and achievements.
The officials would be legally bound to respond to queries from CMC members.
© The Peninsula 2010
