After a series of long protests, hunger strikes and demonstrations, including a rather damp showdown between teachers and police in Karachi where the protestors were showered with water from canons, the chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, said that the teachers’ demands will be met with very soon. “I know that the financial constraints are very severe but I have started consultations with the finance department.”
The session was presided over by three different persons. Since neither the speaker nor the deputy speaker was present up till 11:45 am, a panel member, Dr Sikander Mendhro, started off the proceedings. Some 20 minutes into the session, the speaker, Nisar Khuhro arrived. However, the speaker left less than an hour later after which the deputy speaker, Shehla Raza, was present to take things over.
Other than the musical chairs, the assembly managed to discuss significant issues such as the bill for value-added tax and the demands of government teachers.
Teachers are builders of society and the government will definitely resolve their problem, the chief minister said before he added that a misunderstanding was behind the long-drawn protests. Teachers should focus on teaching rather than indulging in irrelevant activities, Shah remarked.
A 70 per cent increase in the education budget has been made, the chief minister pointed out as evidence of the government’s focus on education. MPA Shaharyar Maher asked the chief minister when the notification on their demands would be issued. Education minister, Pir Mazharul Haq, took some offense to this and spoke up: “You should extend thanks rather than ask about the time frame.”
According to Haq, people had created rumours that the chief minister had rejected the summary sent by the teachers. These people just want to create chaos, he added, saying that more than Rs1 billion were required to pay the teachers to meet their demands for teaching allowances.
VAT issue, bill passed
In a bold decision against the federal government’s decision to impose the value added tax (VAT) in the province, the assembly passed a bill to establish the Sindh Revenue Board, which will collect taxes and regulate other fiscal and economic policy related duties.
The supplementary bill, which was not on the agenda, was moved by Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro.
MPAs welcomed the passing of the bill with gusty thumping and slogans of ‘Jeay Bhutto’. Sardar Ahmed, parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), lauded the step taken by the Sindh government. While Jam Madad Ali, leader of the Opposition, said that they will continue supporting the government on issues that are for the greater public good.
Cyclone fears
Some members raised the issue of the cyclone and asked if the government had taken adequate precautionary measures.
Mohammed Ali Malkana, an Opposition member, raised the issues of an incomplete road connecting Dhabiji to Ali Bandar. He referred to the 1999 cyclone, saying that it had caused a huge loss in that area.
According to Humera Alwani, more than 200 fishermen are still at sea and the government must make arrangements to rescue them.
Security issues
Shaharyar Maher drew attention to the law and order situation in villages Borriri and Pat, two of Sindh’s most literate villages, where dacoits have made residents’ lives miserable. Referring to media reports, he requested the home minister to take action against the criminals.
Meanwhile, Farzana Baloch raised another security concern when she brought up the Lyari gang wars. She said that people in the area can barely move around, especially in Eidu Lane.
Published in the Express Tribune, June 4th, 2010
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