PUNJAB CIVIL ADMINISTRATION ACT 2017

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THE PUNJAB CIVIL ADMINISTRATION ACT 2017 
(III of 2017) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3 Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners 
4. Functions of the Commissioner 
5. Functions of the Deputy Commissioner 
6. Functions of the Additional Commissioners and Deputy Additional 
Commissioners 
7. Vacancy 
8. Code of Conduct 
9. Information 
10. Coordination Committees 
11. Assistance 
12. Public facilities 
13. Calamities 
14. Record and inspection 
15. Public order etc 
16. Public processions etc 
17. Public properties 
18. Police support 
19. Enquiry 
20. Statistics 
21. Performance evaluation 
22. Reports 
23. District Gazetteer 
24. Delegation of powers 
25. District Account and Audit 
26. Transparency and due diligence 
27. Divisional Boards 
28. Indemnity 
29. Power to make rules 
30. Removal of difficulties 
31. Repeal 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB CIVIL ADMINISTRATION ACT 2017 
(III of 2017) 
[8th February, 2017] 
An 
Act 
to institute a comprehensive system of civil administration in the Punjab for efficient 
administration and improved service delivery to the people. 
It is essential to institute a comprehensive system of civil administration in the 
Punjab for efficient administration, improved service delivery, better coordination, 
supervision and regulatory enforcement, and for ancillary matters. 
Be it enacted by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows:– 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Civil Administration Act 2017. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In this Act, unless the subject or the context otherwise requires: 
(a) “Additional Commissioner” means an officer appointed as Additional 
Commissioner under the Act; 
(b) “Additional Deputy Commissioner” means a n officer appointed as 
Additional Deputy Commissioner under the Act; 
(c) “Assistant Commissioner” means an officer appointed as Assistant 
Commissioner under the Act; 
(d) “Commissioner” means an officer appointed as Commissioner under 
the Act; 
(e) “Deputy C ommissioner” means an officer appointed as Deputy 
Commissioner under the Act; 
(f) “Division”,  “District”  and  “Tehsil”  respectively  mean the Division, the 
District and the Tehsil constituted under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 
1967 (XVII of 1967); 
(g) “employee” means a person performing duties in an office; 
(h) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(i) “head of District Police” means the head of the district police appointed 
under the Police Order, 2002 (22 of 2002); 
                                                           
1This Act was passed by the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 2 February 2017; assented to by the Governor of the Punjab 
on 7 February 2017; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 8 February 2017, pp. 4065-4071. 
(j) “head of the local governm ent” means the Mayor or a Chairman of a 
local government under the Punjab Local Government Act 2013 (XVIII 
of 2013); 
(k) “head of office” means the head of an office in the Tehsil, District or, as 
the case may be, the Division; 
(l) “local government” means  a local government constituted under the 
Punjab Local Government Act 2013 (XVIII of 2013); 
(m) “office” means such office of the  Government in the Tehsil, District or, 
as the case may be, the Division as the Government may, by 
notification, specify for pu rposes of the Act but does not include  any 
office of the local government established by or under the Punjab Local 
Government Act 2013 (XVIII of 2013) or of the Police constituted by or 
under the Police Order, 2002 (22 of 2002); 
(n) “officer-in-charge” mea ns the officer incharge of, and responsible for, 
maintaining a public facility; 
(o) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under the Act; 
(p) “public facility” means  such office or public facility or work relating to 
such office of the Government in t he Tehsil, District or, as the case 
may be, the Division as the Government  may, by notification, specify 
but does not include any office or public facility or work relating to the 
local government established by or under the Punjab Local 
Government Act 2013 (XVIII of 2013) or of the Police constituted by or 
under the Police Order, 2002 (22 of 2002); 
(q) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; and 
(r) “Service” means Pakistan Administrative Service or Provincial  
Management Service Punjab. 
3. Commissioners, Deputy Commissioner s and Assistant 
Commissioners.– (1) The Government shall appoint a Commissioner for each 
Division, a Deputy Commissioner for each District and an Assistant Commissioner 
for each Tehsil in the Punjab from amongst the officers of the Service. 
(2) A Commissioner shall be the officer-in-charge of general administration 
and principal representative of the Government in the Division. 
(3) A Deputy Commissioner shall be the officer -in-charge of general 
administration and principal representative of the Government in the District. 
(4) An officer appointed under subsection (1) shall perform the functions 
and exercise the powers under this  Act or any other law or as the Government may, 
by order or notification, assign or delegate. 
(5) The Commissi oner and Deputy Commissioner  shall be subject to 
general superintendence and control of the Government. 
4. Functions of the Commissioner. – A Commissioner , in addition to any 
function under subsection (4) of section 3 and section 15, shall: 
(a) supervise an d monitor the discharge of duties by the Deputy 
Commissioners in the Division; 
(b) coordinate the work of all the offices and public facilities in the Division; 
(c) facilitate and coordinate any work which concerns two or more Districts 
in the Division or two or more Divisions for purposes of integrated 
development, efficient use of public resources and effective service 
delivery; and 
(d) supervise and coordinate the implementation of the policies , 
instructions and guidelines of the Government. 
5. Functions of the Deputy Commissioner. – A Deputy Commissioner, in 
addition to the functions mentioned in subsection (4) of section  3 and section 15 , 
shall: 
(a) supervise and monitor the discharge of duties by the Assistant 
Commissioners in the District; 
(b) coordinate the work of all the offices and public facilities in the district 
for purposes of integrated development, efficient use of public 
resources and effective service delivery; 
(c) support and facilitate the offices and public facilities in the District; 
(d) ensure that the standards set by the Government in respect of a public 
facility are fully observed; and   
(e) supervise and coordinate the implementation of the policies , 
instructions and guidelines of the Government. 
6. Functions of the Additional Commis sioners and Additional Deputy 
Commissioners.– (1) The Government may appoint one or more Additional 
Commissioner in each Division and one or more Additional Deputy Commissioner in 
each District from amongst the officers of the Service. 
(2) An Additional Co mmissioner shall serve under the general 
administration and control of the Commissioner and shall perform the functions 
under this Act or any other law or as the Commissioner may, by order, assign. 
(3) An Additional Deputy Commissioner or an Assistant Comm issioner 
shall serve under the general supervision and control of the Deputy Commissioner 
and shall perform functions under the Act or any other law or as the Deputy 
Commissioner may, by order, assign. 
(4) An Assistant Commissioner may distribute work amon g the officers 
subordinate to him in the manner and to the extent prescribed. 
7. Vacancy.– In case the office of a Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or 
Assistant Commissioner is vacant, the Government shall make appropriate 
arrangement for the discharge of the functions of that office. 
8. Code of Conduct. – (1) The Government may issue a Code of Conduct in 
relation to the exercise of authority and discharge of functions under this Act. 
(2) Any deviation from the Code of Conduct or any violation of any lawful 
directions under the Act shall be referred to such authority as may be prescribed for 
action in accordance with law. 
9. Information.– (1) A Commissioner shall keep the Government informed on all 
important matters relating to the Divisional administration. 
(2) A Deputy Commissioner shall keep the Commissioner informed on all 
important matters relating to the District administration. 
(3) An Assistant Commissioner shall keep the Deputy Commissioner 
informed on all important matters relating to the Tehsil administration. 
(4) A head of office in the District shall keep the Deputy Commissioner 
informed on all important matters relating to that office. 
10. Coordination Committees .– The Government  may constitute Divisional, 
District or Tehsil Coordination Committee s consisting of such heads of  local 
governments, members of N ational Assembly and Provincial Assembly, heads of 
Division, District and Tehsil administrations and police and such other persons as 
may be specified to achieve the goals of good governance, effective service delivery, 
public welfare and better coordination through democratic control and oversight.  
11. Assistance.– On a request by a head of office or head of a local government, 
the Deputy Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner shall extend such 
assistance and support as may be necessary in the circumstances. 
12. Public facilities.– (1) The Deputy Commissioner may, from time to time, 
review the quality, standard and efficacy of public facilities in the District. 
(2) If the Deputy Commissioner , for reasons to be recorded, is of the view 
that the public service is not being delivered on the prescribed or reasonable 
standards, he may require the officer -in-charge to take such measures as may be 
necessary for improving the quality, standard and efficacy of the public facility. 
(3) The officer-in-charge shall take prompt remedial steps and inform the 
Deputy Commissioner of the action taken by him. 
(4) If the officer-in-charge does not take remedial steps as advised, the 
Deputy Commissioner may, thro ugh the Commissioner, make a report to the 
Government for necessary action in accordance with law. 
13. Calamities.– (1) The Government may, by notification, declare the whole or 
any part of the Province, as the case may be, as calamity -affected area under 
section 3 of the Punjab National Calamities (Prevention and Relief) Act 1958 (XXXIII 
of 1958). 
(2) On issuance of the notification mentioned in subsection (1), the 
Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner or officers 
subordinate to them ma y, in consultation with the respective head of the local 
government, exercise such powers within the area of their respective jurisdiction  as 
the Relief Commissioner may delegate to them under section 7 of the said Act. 
(3) All the offices in the District or, as the case may be, in the Division shall 
extend such assistance to the officer mentioned in subsection (2) as he may require 
or as may be necessary in the circumstances. 
(4) On a request by or on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, the local 
governments in the district shall also render such assistance to the Deputy 
Commissioner or officers subordinate to him as may be necessary in the 
circumstances. 
14. Record and inspection.– (1) On a complaint or otherwise, the Commissioner 
or the Deputy Commissioner  may call for the record of any case from any office in 
the Division or, as the case may be, the District to satisfy himself as to the propriety 
or legality of any action taken or proposed to be taken by any office and pass 
appropriate directions in accordance with law. 
(2) The Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant 
Commissioner may inspect any office or public facility within his jurisdiction, and give 
such directions as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. 
(3) It shall be the d uty of every head of office and officer-in-charge to 
facilitate inspection and provide record, information, report and otherwise assist the 
Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner. 
15. Public order etc .– (1) The Deputy Commissioner on h is own, or on the 
request of the head of a local government or head of the District Police, may 
convene a meeting for purposes of maintaining public order  and public safety and 
safeguarding public or private properties in the District; and, the decisions t aken in 
the meeting shall be executed by all concerned accordingly. 
(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), i n case of any unforeseen 
or sudden situation that threatens or is likely to threaten pubic order, public safety or 
public and private prope rties in the District , the Deputy Commissioner and the head 
of the District Police shall jointly take appropriate action to address the situation.  
(3) The provisions of subsection  (1) and subsection (2) shall apply mutatis 
mutandis to the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner respectively in relation 
to the Division and the Tehsil.  
16. Public processions etc .– (1) No public meeting, procession, assembly or 
gathering shall take place without prior permission in writing of the Deputy 
Commissioner. 
(2) On receipt of an application for the purpose, the Deputy Commissioner, 
in consultation with the head of District Police, may grant permission subject to such 
terms and conditions as he deems fit or reject the application after recording 
reasons. 
(3) The Deput y Commissioner may , in consultation with the head of the 
respective local government, requisition such assistance of the local government as 
may be necessary in the circumstances. 
17. Public properties.– (1) The Deputy Commissioner shall oversee the use of  
all public properties in the district and where required direct the concerned head of 
office or officer incharge for the proper maintenance and use of a property or 
safeguarding it against illegal trespass, undue wastage or destruction. 
(2) The Deputy Com missioner may exercise the powers of the 
Government under the Punjab Government Lands and Buildings (Recovery of 
Possession) Ordinance 1966 (IX of 1966), and the powers of an autonomous body 
under the Punjab Autonomous Bodies Immovable Property (Ejectment of 
Unauthorized Occupants) Ordinance, 1965 (XXXVII of 1965). 
(3) The Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner shall oversee 
the use of public space in their respective jurisdictions and where required , in 
consultation with the respective head of the local government, cause the 
obstructions removed in accordance with law, allow and define use of public space 
for public meeting, procession, assembly or gathering  and other temporary uses and 
otherwise prevent it from illegal use, and for th e purpose pass  such directions in 
accordance with law as may be considered necessary. 
(4) The Deputy Commissioner shall maintain a registry of all public 
properties in such form as may be prescribed or as the Government may direct. 
18. Police support.– On the requisitio n from  the Assistant Commissioner or 
Deputy Commissioner or on receipt of a request for police assistance from any head 
of office, head of the local government, statutory body or body or corporation owned, 
set up or controlled by the Government or the Fede ral Government in relation to 
discharge of official duties, the head of the District Police shall provide such police 
assistance as may be necessary.  
19. Enquiry.– (1) The Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner may, on a 
complaint or any other informatio n, cause an enquiry to be made by such officer as 
he may deem appropriate, into the affairs of an office  or a public facility and take 
appropriate action in accordance with law. 
(2) Any person aggrieved by any case of maladministration, neglect, 
excess or misconduct by any employee serving in a District or is dissatisfied with a 
public service  may make a complaint in writing under his signature to the Deputy 
Commissioner. 
(3) The Deputy Commissioner may either himself or through an officer 
subordinate to him take such action in accordance with law as may be necessary to 
redress the legitimate grievance of the complainant. 
(4) It shall be the duty of every head of office and officer-in-charge of the 
public facility to comply with the directions under subsecti on ( 3) and shall report 
compliance to the Deputy Commissioner or inform him of the reasons on account of 
which the direction cannot be implemented. 
(5) On receipt of the report from a head of office or officer-in-charge of a 
public facility, the Deputy Commissioner may either withdraw the direction or, if he is 
not satisfied with the reasons, report the matter to the Government for action in 
accordance with law. 
(6) The inquiry officer shall, for purposes of the inquiry, have all the powers 
of a civil court  under the Civil Procedure  Code, 1908 (V of 1908) in relation to 
summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath, 
compelling the production of documents, receiving evidence on affidavits, and 
issuing commission for the examination of witnesses. 
20. Statistics.– For purposes of better coordination and effective planning, the 
Deputy Commissioner shall maintain or cause to be maintained such updated local 
statistics in such manner as may be prescribed  and until so prescribed as t he 
Government may direct. 
21. Performance evaluation.– The Commi ssioner and Deputy Commissioner , 
through the Commissioner, shall report the performance of the offices and, if 
necessary, of the employees under their respective jurisdiction to the Government in 
such manner and at such intervals as the Government may, by notification, 
determine. 
22. Reports.– (1) Every head of office shall prepare and submit a periodic report 
on the working of his office to the Deputy Commissioner at such time and in such 
form as may be prescribed. 
(2) The Deputy Commissioner shall prepare a consolidated report on the 
working of all offices in the district and shall, through the Commissioner, submit the 
report of each financial year to the Government at such time and in such fo rm as 
may be prescribed. 
(3) The Government may take such action on the report as it deems 
necessary. 
23. District Gazetteer.– (1) The Deputy Commissioner shall make arrangements 
for formulating for each financial year  the District Gazetteer and shall publish it after 
approval by the Commissioner. 
(2) The District Gazetteer shall contain information about the socio-cultural 
and economic activities, the developmental goals accomplished , key features of 
governance, key indicators , the future plans and any oth er matter of public 
importance or interest.  
24. Delegation of powers .– (1) The Government may, by notification, delegate 
such of its powers to its officers in the district as it considers appropriate in the 
interest of effective, efficient and economical delivery of public services subject to 
such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order. 
(2) In the like manner, the Government may by notification, place such of 
its employees, excluding the employees  of the Police Department and the local 
governments, under the administrative control of the  Commissioner or Deputy 
Commissioner. 
25. District Account  and Audit .– (1) There shall be an account in respect of 
each District to be called the „District Account‟ which shall vest in the Deputy 
Commissioner for undertaking development, improvement of public services in 
general, provision of relief in emergencies or such other purposes as may be 
prescribed. 
(2) All moneys received by the Deputy Commissioner  shall be credited to 
the District Account under a head of account authorized by the Controller General of 
Accounts. 
(3) The Deputy Commissioner shall maintain the Account and expend 
money from the Account for such purposes and in such manner as may be 
prescribed. 
(4) The District Account shall be audited by the Auditor General at the end 
of each financial year. 
(5)  In addition to the audit, under subsection (3), the Government may 
direct that a special audit of the District Account shall be conducted by such auditors 
and in such manner as may be prescribed and until, so prescribed, as determined by 
the Government. 
26.  Transparency and due diligence .– The Government may prescribe 
arrangements to ensure that the functions and powers under this Act are discharged 
diligently and in a transparent manner.  
27.  Divisional Boards .– (1) The Government may constitute for each Division 
the Grievance Redress Board consisting of the Convener and two other members.  
(2) The Board may enquire into serious cases of maladministration , 
corruption and corrupt practices, violation of law, dereliction from duty and any other 
act or omission  detrimental to the public interest by the employees of the 
Government and the employees  and elected representatives of a local government 
in the prescribed manner.  
(3) The Board shall submit i ts report and recommendations to the 
Government for necessary action in accordance with law. 
28. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings shall lie against 
any public servant for anything done in good faith under this Act. 
29. Power to make rules .– The Government may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
30. Removal of difficulties .– The Government may, by order  in writing, provide 
for the removal of any difficulty which may arise  in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act within a period of one year of the commencement of the Act.  
31. Repeal.– The Punjab Civil Administration Ordinance 2016  (XX of 2016) is 
hereby repealed.