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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1991
DB'S TO ASSUME MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN 90'9
AS HONG KONG PROGRESSES INTO THE 908 AND BECOMES EVEN MORE COMPLICATED, THE ADVISORY ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MR TSAO SAID IN SUCH A HIGHLY COMPACT COMMUNITY, THE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS NUST BE TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT IN THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
"THE VITAL ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE THREE-TIER REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IS BEST REFLECTED HERE.
"TOGETHER WITH THE AREA COMMITTEES AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS FORM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, HE STRESSED.
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THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME, HE ADDED, WAS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL RESIDENTS.
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"THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN LOCAL AFFAIRS то ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AND RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATION AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DISTRICT BOARDS, AS STATUTORY ADVISORY BODIES IN THE DISTRICTS, ARE CONSULTED ON A BROAD RANGE OF MATTERS AFFECTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE DISTRICTS, IN PARTICULAR, THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR LOCAL MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
IT IS ALSO A COMMON PRACTICE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS ΤΟ BE CONSULTED ON MAJOR TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
"RECENT EXAMPLES INCLUDED THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, THE PROPOSAL TO SELL PUBLIC RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION NO. 4 REPORT.
"ASIDE FROM A CENTRAL BRIEFING SESSION WHERE ALL THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND, THE RESPONSIBLE POLICY BRANCH HAD ALSO SENT HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS ΤΟ ATTEND THE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHEN THE ISSUE WAS ON THE AGENDA ITEM.
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WAS MR
ATTACHING LESS TSAO CITED TWO DISTRICT BOARDS
REFUTING ALLEGATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WEIGHT TO THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY IN THE DISCUSSION OF TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES.
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