Changes to the master plan: Lawmakers call for a more ‘democratic’ procedure
Civic agency made alterations in the CDA Ordinance 1960 with the consent of the PM; MNAs say it should be changed.
ISLAMABAD:
In the aftermath of some controversial amendments to the Islamabad’s master plan, some lawmakers have called for a more democratic procedure to oversee such changes in the future. There is however, a unanimous agreement over bringing about ‘more meaningful’ changes to the plan, if at all they are to be made.
National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Friday discussed amendments to the CDA Ordinance 1960 in a one-point agenda meeting with the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The city mangers told the NA body that they brought the changes with the approval of the federal government. “The authority is authorised to bring changes to the CDA ordinance with the consent of the federal government,” said a CDA official.
After the amendments, the civic body can now enter into public-private partnerships for development work and construction work in the forest areas of Zone-III and Zone-IV has also been allowed.
The point regarding the efficacy of such changes was moved to the committee by MNA Parveen Masood Bhatti. An official observed that the alterations in the civic agency’s manual for the city took place conveniently after the Prime Minister, who is also head of the Cabinet Division, gave his approval.
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PML-N MNAs termed the procedure against the norms of democracy. They said that rather than the Prime Minister or Cabinet Division, the changes in the master plan of the federal capital city should be introduced with the approval of the Parliament.
“PM is part of parliament and we should strengthen the parliament rather than PM,” said Bhatti.
However, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb disagreed on abrupt changes to the procedure and said, “We would try to reach on consensus because some members want the PM to retain his discretionary powers.”
Catalyst for change: E-11 deal
Officials from the civic agency also discussed the issue of the E-11 Northern Strip with the NA body, which, according to some, paved way for changes in the public-private partnership clause in the master plan.
When questioned about the payments made to the Multi Professional Cooperative Housing Society despite the Islamabad High Court stay order and Supreme Court’s ruling, CDA Chairperson Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said, “CDA paid more than Rs30 million to the society for the work they did in the area.” He added that the deal was inked with the private organisation by his predecessor.
In a recent ruling, the apex court, under the old CDA Ordinance, prohibited the agency from entering into joint ventures and partnerships with private sector entities to plan and develop infrastructure schemes. The SC had termed the deal “illegal and shameful”.
A source added that there are other such deals which the authority has planned or are in the pipeline and by the recent changes CDA would be able to pursue them.
“The amendment is to help the agency meet the emerging challenges. It is not to counter any court decision,” said Elahi, clarifying his organisation’s stance.
Public land remains occupied
Lawmaker Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the practice of encroachment of public land in different area is continuing. This is going on with the consent of CDA officials and there should be stricter laws for this, he said.
The committee decided to visit the sites where public land is under illegal possession of the encroachers on October 28. They also suggested that CDA officials should enhance punishment against encroachment. Aurengzeb wanted it to be increased to five years, while Bhatti asked for a four years’ sentence.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2011.
In the aftermath of some controversial amendments to the Islamabad’s master plan, some lawmakers have called for a more democratic procedure to oversee such changes in the future. There is however, a unanimous agreement over bringing about ‘more meaningful’ changes to the plan, if at all they are to be made.
National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Friday discussed amendments to the CDA Ordinance 1960 in a one-point agenda meeting with the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The city mangers told the NA body that they brought the changes with the approval of the federal government. “The authority is authorised to bring changes to the CDA ordinance with the consent of the federal government,” said a CDA official.
After the amendments, the civic body can now enter into public-private partnerships for development work and construction work in the forest areas of Zone-III and Zone-IV has also been allowed.
The point regarding the efficacy of such changes was moved to the committee by MNA Parveen Masood Bhatti. An official observed that the alterations in the civic agency’s manual for the city took place conveniently after the Prime Minister, who is also head of the Cabinet Division, gave his approval.
(Read: No govt college planned in 20 years)
PML-N MNAs termed the procedure against the norms of democracy. They said that rather than the Prime Minister or Cabinet Division, the changes in the master plan of the federal capital city should be introduced with the approval of the Parliament.
“PM is part of parliament and we should strengthen the parliament rather than PM,” said Bhatti.
However, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb disagreed on abrupt changes to the procedure and said, “We would try to reach on consensus because some members want the PM to retain his discretionary powers.”
Catalyst for change: E-11 deal
Officials from the civic agency also discussed the issue of the E-11 Northern Strip with the NA body, which, according to some, paved way for changes in the public-private partnership clause in the master plan.
When questioned about the payments made to the Multi Professional Cooperative Housing Society despite the Islamabad High Court stay order and Supreme Court’s ruling, CDA Chairperson Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said, “CDA paid more than Rs30 million to the society for the work they did in the area.” He added that the deal was inked with the private organisation by his predecessor.
In a recent ruling, the apex court, under the old CDA Ordinance, prohibited the agency from entering into joint ventures and partnerships with private sector entities to plan and develop infrastructure schemes. The SC had termed the deal “illegal and shameful”.
A source added that there are other such deals which the authority has planned or are in the pipeline and by the recent changes CDA would be able to pursue them.
“The amendment is to help the agency meet the emerging challenges. It is not to counter any court decision,” said Elahi, clarifying his organisation’s stance.
Public land remains occupied
Lawmaker Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the practice of encroachment of public land in different area is continuing. This is going on with the consent of CDA officials and there should be stricter laws for this, he said.
The committee decided to visit the sites where public land is under illegal possession of the encroachers on October 28. They also suggested that CDA officials should enhance punishment against encroachment. Aurengzeb wanted it to be increased to five years, while Bhatti asked for a four years’ sentence.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2011.