Budget session: ‘The Chief minister should help the poor, instead of just inaugurating projects’

Provincial assembly continues budget debate.

LAHORE:

The provincial assembly on Friday continued the debate on the 2013-2014 budget.

Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan presided over the session during which hot words were exchanged between the opposition and treasury benches.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Tariq Majid Gill praised Shahbaz Sharif’s vision. Gill declared the budget ‘an ideal plan.’ Mehwish Sultana and Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujur Rehman also praised the chief minister.



Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Mian Aslam objected asking the speaker to stop the speeches in praise of Shahbaz Sharif and to focus on the budget. Aslam’s words were resented by the treasury benches and several members responded by criticising PTI leaders. Waheed Gul and Rana Arshad told Aslam to consider the PTI leaders.

Mian Aslam said PTI members could be louder and more disruptive.

The speaker warned both sides to avoid criticising party leaders. He also warned them of disciplinary action.



The speaker also warned the treasury members not to read written speeches. He said consulting notes was acceptable.

PTI’s Raheela Anwar said the chief minister should focus on welfare of the poor instead of inaugurating a lot of projects.

She said the chief minister’s Ashiana Housing Scheme for district Jhelum had not materialised. Anwar also demanded a hospital in Khewra.

PML-N’s Mian Naseer demanded more funds for the Punjab Education Foundation. He said legal cover should be provided to school councils. Naseer said health insurance cards should be provided across the province.

PML-N’s Malik Ahmed Khan suggested industrial hubs at major cities for foreign investment like Hyderabad and Banglore in India.

PTI’s Dr Salahuddin Niazi [from Mianwali] said the government had ignored the grievances of the northern Punjab.

He said Mianwali needed better roads. He said roads in Mianwali were being used by NATO forces to carry supplies into Afghanistan. He demanded the construction of a bridge over Indus River at Kalabagh. He also said a public university should be established in Mianwali.

Mian Aslam said the government had failed to utilise the allocated funds in the last five years.

He said in 2012-2013, less than 55 per cent out of the Rs250 billion ADP had been utilised (Rs137 billion) in the current year.

He said 10 beds should be added to all hospitals for dialysis patients. He said the investment board should be made more powerful so as to help overcome unemployment.

The speaker adjourned the session till Saturday morning.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2013.