The provincial assembly of Sindh concluded general discussion on provincial budget for financial year 2016-17 on Saturday during 10th sitting of its 25th session.
Leader of the House Syed Qaim Ali Shah in his concluding speech said: “We are resolving problems of Sindh. We have improved law and order. We are not targeting any group or political party in Sindh. We will extend grant Rs 10 million to the family of deceased Qawal Amjad Sabri and give a job to the widow. Rangers have achieved many successes. We are carrying out agriculture policy. Water shortage is the problem of whole province and steps are being taken to mitigate it. We have generated ample resources through NFC award and provincial tax collection.”
The House discussed the charged expenditure. Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah and MQM parliamentary leader Sardar Ahmed took part in the discussion.
The House rejected 29 cut motions of MQM MPA Niala Munir, eight cut motions of MQM MPA Heer Soho, and seven cut motions of MQM MPA Naheed Begum on demand No 1 and granted the demand No 1 of demands for grant for supplementary expenditure, 2015-16.
The Sindh Assembly met for four hours and 40 minutes. The sitting started at 1253 hours against the scheduled time of 1200 hours. The speaker chaired the sitting for an hour and 10 minutes while rest of the proceeding was chaired by the deputy speaker. The chief minister was present for four hours and 40 minutes.
The opposition leader attended the sitting for three hours and 47 minutes. The finance minister attended the entire sitting. Some 48 (29%) were present at the start and 86 (52%) at the end of the sitting.
The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F, PML-N and PTI were present besides seven minority members.
The House discussed supplementary budget statement for year 2015-16 and approved one out of 42 demands for grants. All 44 cut motions moved by the MQM lawmakers were rejected. The chief minister concluded general discussion on the provincial budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 consuming two hours and 49 minutes of the proceeding. The House held discussion for one hour on the charged expenditures. Two members including the finance minister also spoke on it. Two points of order consumed two minutes of the proceeding. The chair adjourned the House till Sunday at 10:00am to discuss remaining demands for grants (demand number 2 to 42).
