ISLAMABAD: The Senate House Committee on Thursday was informed that funds amounting to Rs 194 million have been allocated for the repair and maintenance work of parliament lodges and government hostels.
The Committee met under the Chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla at Parliament House which was attended by Senators Kulsoom Parveen, Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini and senior officers from Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO).
The Committee reviewed the minutes of its earlier meeting on September 25, 2018. The Committee’s chairman went through each recommendation seeking its implementation status.
Regarding sudden hikes in electricity bills of parliament lodges, the IESCO representative informed the Committee that the bills were examined and arrears were reflected in it.
The Captial Development Authority (CDA) director added that the amount pertained to those bills that had not been paid by previous Lodge occupants. The Committee recommended that in addition to other measures, the meters installed at the Lodges must be checked for faults.
While inquiring about the progress report on the approval of PC-II and appointment of consultant for the refurbishment of existing lodges, it was revealed that the PC-II amounting to Rs 117.150 million had been submitted to the Ministry of Interior.
The Committee was apprised that the amount pertained only to the hiring of a consultant and did not include complete project costs.
The Committee after detailed deliberation on the issue asked the CDA to carry on with the process of routing PC-II through the concerned Ministry/Division and also decided to defer the agenda till the next meeting wherein Finance secretary, Interior secretary, CDA chairman and NESPAK MD be invited in the next meeting.
While discussing the provision of two ambulances for the parliament lodges, the Committee was informed that the FGPC had requested the Cabinet Division numerous times for provision of funds along with permission to purchase 02 ambulances for Parliament House and lodges’ dispensary, however, there has been no response.
The Committee asserted that a letter to be written to Cabinet secretary for getting it approved in the next cabinet meeting.
