Punjab Assembly on Tuesday held general discussion on the supplementary budget.
Lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches took part in the open debate. Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha was also 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 the society were taken care in the new budget.
They acknowledged the effort of the chief minister 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-N (PML-N) and that is why it is creating impediments in way to government,” the 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.
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 and works, housing and urban development, services and 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 utilisation 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-ou
