Despite opposition Punjab Regularisation of Service Bill 2018 was passed
Despite fairly strong opposition, the treasury succeeded in getting the provincial legislature to approve the Punjab Regularisation of Service Bill 2018 on Friday. The bill now paves the way for the government to regularise services of up to 275,000 contract employees.
The bill was contentious because of its timing and the opposition declared it an explicitly arranged attempt at pre-poll rigging.
However, the treasury had a number advantages all along. All three attempts by the opposition to point out the quorum were quashed by the treasury as well. Over 100 MPAs were present in the Punjab Assembly on Friday.
The haste shown by the treasury to introduce the bill was the underlying theme for all speeches by the opposition members. They pointed out that the ulterior motives of the treasury are becoming clearer as they rush the bill through without referring it to the standing committee of the House. However, the bill was passed without a thorough debate and the opposition suggested changes being incorporated in the bill.
Allegations were hurled from both sides of the aisle. Mian Asim Iqbal portrayed it as political pandering, a ploy to buy votes at the government’s expense. He pointed out that this issue has been persisting for the major part of the last five years, but the current government finds it to be an opportune time to address this concern even if it means without following due process. He warned that such tactics to rig the upcoming elections will not lead anywhere.
Presenting the government’s stance Rana Sanaullah pointed to the duality of actions by the opposition. He said all those opposing the bill today had been encouraging the protestors. Now when we are finally making much awaited progress on the issue at hand they are out to fight it. Responding to allegations of pre-poll rigging, he said that only those employees who have completed four years of continuous service will be eligible for regularisation, eliminating any chances for the government to reward its political workers through this bill.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2018.
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