New accommodation for legislators

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani inaugurated phase-II of the Parliamentarians Lodges on Wednesday, raising eyebrows, including those of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Friday, Nisar sought the cancellation of the project, pointing out that Rs 3 billion is to be spent to facilitate a privileged class while the nation is facing a serious economic crisis.
The project, indeed, is one more example of misplaced priorities. The hardships that ordinary people are confronting on account of the sky-rocketing prices of basic necessities and calamitous floods do not seem to matter much.
The federal government has cut its development budget by half due to financial constraints. A large number of the flood affected people are still without shelter over their heads. At a time like this, the last thing those in authority should be thinking of is constructing 104 family suites for law makers and 500 quarters for their servants. This, as the Opposition leader pointed out, is reflective of a mindset that cares only about catering to the wants and wishes of the privileged classes. The existing seven residential blocks have 358 family suites for 442 senators and MNAs. The shortage can be easily overcome for the time being by utilising the old MNA hostels. Some recent reports have also revealed that the government housing in Islamabad is being misused on a large-scale. Many, including journalists, have been benefiting from the largesse of the housing ministry, at the public expense, to live in government accommodation for which they have no entitlement whatsoever. The government must first clean its Augean stables before launching any new housing project. It must take stock of its existing resources, and make judicious use of them.
The present project has also raised questions about lack of transparency in the award of the construction contract to a company said to be owned by someone close to the incumbent of a top public office. One press report quoting a CDA official, says that the project had been awarded at rates 35 percent higher than the estimated cost. In an official denial though, the CDA has said it was granted to the lowest bidder. The controversy underscores the need for transparency. The government is already grappling with a host of cases of alleged wrongdoing; it would be surprising if it does not want to avoid unnecessary arguments over this project. Hopefully, the Prime Minister will give due attention to the concern the Leader of the Opposition has expressed in his letter, and make the necessary amends. He must get his priorities right.