Budget 2012-13: Punjab Finance Minister winds up debate amid uproar

ITRAT BASHIR

LAHORE: Vociferous opposition benches compelled the Punjab Finance Minister to rush through his speech to wind up debate on Punjab Budget 2012-13 on Monday.

Apparently, the Q-league legislators had decided to give a tough time to the treasury benches during the entire session. On numerous occasions, Speaker Rana Iqbal warned them to remain in the limits and not force him take stern action against them, but the warning did not deter them from raising slogans against the Punjab government.

Q-league legislators Seemal Kamran, Samina Khawar Hayat and Amina Ulfat, supported by the PPP female legislators, persistently interrupted the speeches of treachery benchers.

As the time drew nearer to the wind-up speech of Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, the opposition benchers intensified the protest. They nearly put the treasury benchers in an embarrassing position when the session almost became a victim to 'lack of quorum'. Samina Khawar Hayat pointed out the quorum and protested that a majority of the treasury benchers were absent from the House, which reflected their non-serious attitude towards the budget.

The Speaker had to adjourn the House for 15 minutes to ensure that the House meets the required number. Interestingly, the presence of the Punjab Chief Minister in the provincial assembly could not ensure the quorum in the House.

On resumption of the House, the Finance Minister was invited to deliver his wind-up speech. To avoid any further embarrassment, the Chief Minister also came to the House to ensure that the quorum was maintained.

Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman had nothing to offer in his wind-up speech; in a loud tone, he just reiterated the budget speech that he delivered June 9. In his speech, he dismissed the opposition criticism of failing to enhance provincial receipts. He stated that during the ongoing fiscal year, the Punjab government had managed to increase its tax collection by 24.7 percent as compared last fiscal year. He also said the Punjab government had decided to set up Provincial Revenue Authority, which will be effective from July 1.

He justified the Punjab government's initiatives (laptop scheme, Rozgar scheme, Danish schools and Ashiana housing scheme). He said such schemes reflect the Punjab government's commitment to education and welfare of people. He also said his government is also committed to remain firm on its decision of not accepting foreign aid for development of Punjab. He said they would not compromise the country's integrity at any cost. "We have taken loans from World Bank and Asian Development Bank for infrastructural projects and the loan will be returned as per schedule," he added.

He brushed aside the opposition benchers' criticism of financial mismanagement and said that when they took over the government in February 2008, Punjab only had Rs 1.5 billion in cash; through their prudent policies, the PML-N government improved the situation. "In five years we have increased the volume of Annual Development Programme to Rs 250 billion, a record allocation in the history of Punjab. The Punjab government is focused on improving the livelihood of the people of Punjab," he added.

Responding to the opposition criticism regarding the Punjab government's focus on Lahore, the Finance Minister said his government is very well aware of its commitment to whole Punjab. He said in the new budget they have allocated 32 percent of ADP 2012-13 for southern Punjab, and he ensured the House that this allocation will not be diverted to other regions of Punjab.

On energy crisis, Mujtaba came hard on the Federal government for failing to ensure equal distribution of electricity among the provinces. He said the Federal government's ill policies have jammed the national economy. The Punjab government has taken steps to improve the situation in the province, including setting up energy funds.

Earlier, Samina Khawar Hayat's point of order created uproar in the House. She asked the Speaker to ensure that investigation report on 'shahzada' Arsalan (son of the Chief Justice of Pakistan) is presented to the House. She claimed that she has some facts on Arsalan's corruption.   In response the N-league benchers created commotion to suppress the issue and the Speaker also avoided it by stating that she should approach the investigating committee with her facts.

The House also offered prayer for the departed soul of PPP leader Fauzia Wahab.  Later, the House was adjourned till Tuesday morning.