LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday held general discussion on the Supplementary Budget 2015-16.
Lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches took part in the open debate. Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha remained present in the House.
Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal chaired the 10th sitting of 22nd (budget) session. The session started with 56 minutes behind its scheduled time.
Taking part in the general discussion on the supplementary budget for the fiscal 2015-16, members Rashida Yaqoob, Farzana Butt and Tariq Masih Gill termed the Punjab budget balanced and public welfare-oriented and said it would bring about a revolution in the province. They said the interests of all segments of society were taken care in the new budget.
They acknowledged the effort of Chief Minister Punjab and his team for coming up with such a unique and exemplary budget. They slammed opposition for its undue criticism on the budget. "PTI can't digest success of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that is why it is creating impediments in way to government," members observed.
They said mega projects like Orange Line Metro Train would provide standard and cheap mode of transportation to the million of commuters daily.
Calling Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif "Mard-e-Mujahid" the members said the journey of progress and development would continue under the dynamic leadership of the Chief Minister.
The Standing Committees on Home Affairs and Live Stock presented their reports on legislative proposals referred to them while the committee on privileges laid its report on a privilege motion.
The House also granted an extension of two months to each of the committee on privileges and standing committees on Communication & Works, Housing & Urban Development, Services & General Administration and Food for presentation of their reports.
A treasury member Mian Muhammad Rafiq drawing attention of the House towards rising trend in environmental pollution called for more effective measures to check this hazard.
Minority member Shehzad Munshi said the Chief Minister had great love for minorities that was why he increased budget allocations from Rs 5.7 million to Rs 10.7 million for uplift projects for minorities. He opined for full utilization of development funds during next financial year 2016-17.
On a point of order, Ahmed Ali Javed said the PML-N government was making all out efforts to alleviate poverty.
When an opposition member complained about unfair utilization of development funds, the Speaker explained that funds were for the public and these were being spent on peoples' welfare only.
A member of the Panel of Chairpersons Rahila Khadim Hussain also presided over the sitting till its adjournment.
The House deferred a privilege motion of a PML-N lawmaker.
Jama'at e Islami parliamentary leader Dr Wasim Akhtar staged a walkout to register his protest on neglecting important areas in development schemes.
Opposition members Mian Aslam Iqbal, Arif Abbasi, Faiza Malik, Qazi Ahmed Saeed, Haji Javed Akhtar Leghari and others also participated in the discussion on the supplementary budget 2015-16.
As the day's agenda accomplished the Chair adjourned the session till Wednesday (June 29) at 10 am.
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