Better late than never: 11 months later, Sindh forms PAC, 34 standing committees

Opposition says govt is biased against their development plans.


Our Correspondent April 21, 2014
MQM’s Faisal Subzwari and PPP’s Sharjeel Memon enjoy a private discussion during the Sindh Assembly session on Monday. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI:


Eleven months after the Sindh Assembly formed, a public accounts committee and 34 standing committees were set up to keep an eye on spending by government departments.


Parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro moved separate motions nominating members from both the opposition and treasury benches for the standing committees on home, education, health, agriculture, public heath, finance, women development, minorities, environment and revenue departments. Nineteen committees will be headed by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 10 by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), three by Pakistan Muslim League - Functional (PML-F), two by Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) and one by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"We have consulted all parliamentary leaders who have nominated their members," Mandhro told speaker Agha Siraj Durrani. "After this process, the committee members will elect their chairpersons."

The public accounts committee acts as a watchdog to keep an eye on provincial government accounts. MPAs Saleem Raza Jalbani, Syed Safar Ali Shah, Engineer Pesu Mal of the PPP, Nand Kumar of the PML-F, Sorath Thebo of the PML-N and Poonjo Bheel will be its members.

Meanwhile, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Mujeebul Haque, Nawab Gaibi Sardar Khan Chandio, Khursheed Junejo, Ghulam Mujtaba Isran and Lal Chand Ukrani of the PPP, Irfanullah Marwat of the PML-N, Syed Sardar Ahmed and Irum Azeem Farooque of the MQM and Samar Ali Khan of the PTI have been nominated as members of the privilege committee.

"Matters pertaining to legislation and budget proposal will be referred to the relevant standing committees for recommendations," Mandhro explained.

Development discrimination

Once again, the opposition members criticised the provincial government for its discriminatory approach and complained that development funds are not being released to them. PTI's Khurram Sher Zaman moved a privilege motion in which he pointed out that he had received a letter from the planning and development department chief that the government has approved Rs40 million for each MPA under the Tameer-e-Pakistan Programme for development schemes.

"It took me four months to complete the required process and submit the schemes and now the government officials are telling me that they do not have the funds with them," he said. "This act by the chief of the planning development has breached my privilege and this matter should be sent to the committee on privilege for further discussion." Dr Mandhro responded that the opposition members have met the chief minister on this issue and he had assured them that the funds will be released.

The MQM MPAs were, however, unhappy with the response. "More than 60 PPP MPAs have not only received the funds but have been awarded contracts for the development schemes in their areas," claimed MQM's Syed Sardar Ahmed. He added that, even after the meeting with the chief minister, the government was willing to release only Rs10 million.

PML-N's parliamentary leader Nand Kumar also raised the same issue. "Thousands of people have also elected us so why is the government suppressing our rights?" he asked. Senior minister Nisar Khuhro assured the opposition members that their concerns will be shared with the chief minister.

PTI's Syed Hafeezuddin then diverted the speaker's attention towards the financial constraints in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and other municipal corporations in Karachi, where no development scheme has been initiated by the government. "More than Rs11 billion have been allocated for Thatta and Sujawal but Karachi is being ignored," he said.

Water mafia: ‘Militants operating illegal hydrants’


The Sindh Assembly was informed on Monday that illegal hydrants are being run by militants in Manghopir.


Speaking on a call-attention notice, Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Kamran Akhtar said that militants have started operating illegal hydrants and are stealing water from main water lines. “Many areas of district West and Central are ruled by this mafia,” he said. “The people are bound to buy water at higher rates and the KWSB is bearing losses worth billions of rupees.”

Local government minister Sharjeel Memon responded that he had written to the IG and Rangers DG to carry out an operation against the people involved in the business as KWSB alone cannot take action.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

KK Kool | 9 years ago | Reply

Seems so funny.....Another joint venture of PPP and MQM.

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