Administration introduces new restriction on municipal aid extended to citizens

In order to prevent opposition municipalities from reaching the needy, a communique providing “social benefits should be collected in one hand and carried out via district governorships” was published.

Based on the “Communique on monitoring and reporting of the activities of Public Enterprises” prepared by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and published as a Presidential Decree, municipal organizations will be closely monitored by the government. It was shared in the context that the aim was to improve transparency and accountability in the public sector and to determine the procedural principles of collecting/compiling and reporting data on this issue in order to effectively monitor the activities of Public Enterprises. It was also stated that Municipal companies not fulfiling their responsibility would be subject to an audit.

Normally aid is provided to those in need through 44 separate items under different names. Municipalities are also providing support. According to new communique it is envisaged that the assistance will be carried out one-handed, and this will be carried out through the prefects.

Actually, opposition believes that the purpose is as  follows: “If all aid is made via central body (reporting to the government), the assistance made by CHP municipalities will no longer be visible and they will be shown as the assistance made by AKP”.