K-P's 'poor' ministers to be cared for

Bill tabled to increase housing benefits across board

PESHAWAR/ PAKISTAN:

The government has presented the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ministers' Salaries, Allowances, and Privileges (Amendment) Bill in the provincial assembly.

However, the opposition strongly opposed the government's proposed law. The bill, presented on Tuesday by Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, aims to increase the perks of ministers by amending the 1975 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ministers' Salaries, Allowances, and Privileges Act.

Under the amendment, the expense limit for renovating official residences of ministers has been set at Rs1 million, which can be used to purchase items such as carpets, curtains, air conditioners, and refrigerators.

Ministers living in their own residences will receive a monthly rent of 200,000 rupees.

According to the amendment, ministers who are not provided with an official residence will receive Rs200,000 per month in rent from the government until they are allocated one. Clauses 2 and 3 of the bill require ministers to provide a list of all items to the administration department when vacating an official residence.

Clause 4 states that if a minister chooses to live in their own house, they will be paid Rs200,000 rupees monthly as a rent allowance.

Presenting the bill in the assembly, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam said that ministers who own homes in Peshawar will now also be eligible for the rent allowance, a benefit previously only available to those living in rented houses.

Ministers will receive Rs1 million for the renovation of their official residences, allowing them to purchase carpets, curtains, air conditioners, and refrigerators. However, after leaving office, they will be required to surrender all purchased items to the administration department.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has already approved the bill. During the assembly session, opposition members opposed the bill, calling for it to be withdrawn and arguing that it contradicts PTI's claims of accountability and justice.

In response, Minister Aftab Alam explained that the government is obligated to provide housing for cabinet members and ministers. "Currently, there are more than 20 ministers, advisors, and assistants, but only seven official residences are available in Peshawar, and these homes were allocated to ministers through a draw." He added the previous government did not provide houses for any members except the Cm and speaker.

Aftab Alam said that considering inflation and the economic situation after the regime change, the allowance of 500,000 rupees (which after taxes and deductions amounts to 350,000 rupees) was insufficient for home renovation. "Hence, the allowance has been increased to Rs1 million.

He also explained that the Rs70,000 house rent allowance was given because the government was required to provide ministers with housing.