Punjab Assembly on Thursday adopted three bills pertaining to universities, rejecting amendments proposed by the Opposition in two bills.
Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja presented The University of Sargodha (Amendment) Bill 2003; The University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila (Amendment) Bill 2003; and The Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi (Amendment) Bill 2003 before the House.
Apart from the Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi (Amendment) Bill 2003, the Opposition proposed certain amendments in two bills, which were rejected by the Treasury Benches.
On an adjournment motion moved by Iqbal Chanar MPA, Punjab Revenue and Relief Minister Gul Hameed Rokhari admitted that the process of allotment of land in Bahawalpur was wrong, therefore a tehsil patwari involved in the allotment was suspended and he has not been reinstated so far.
The mover contradicted the Minister's statement and alleged that the patwari was still on duty and has charge in some areas.
The minister assured the house that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and if the allegation made by mover was true, an action would be taken against the officer responsible for reinstating the said patwari.
Deputy Opposition Leader Rana Sanaullah asked the minister that outcome of the investigation should be disclosed before the house, which the minister pledged to do so.
During the question-answer session, Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Minister Syed Haroon Ahmed Sultan said that there was no restriction about number of cattle, for establishing a veterinary hospital and dispensary.
Now veterinary hospitals and dispensaries falls under the local governments' jurisdiction, and they set the requirements for setting up the same.
On Rana Sarfraz Ahmad Khan's question, the Livestock Minister said that the department has set-up 18 poultry research and development departments throughout the province, in which 38 experts and doctors were working to facilitate the poultry industry.
He said that these departments have launched several programmes, including Selection and Breeding of Indigenous Poultry Breed in Punjab and establishment of a dairy diagnostic laboratory in Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, which has lessen the problems of poultry farmers.
"Throughout the province, there are 10 government poultry farms in various districts, which was run by professional staff. In the last three years, it has earned Rs 30.89 million," he added.
In reply to Syed Ehsanullah Waqas' question, the minister said that during the last three years the government has launched two schemes at the cost of Rs 224 million for improving livestock farms, including increasing the number of livestock in such farms.
He disclosed that the government has no intention to increase the existing number of government run livestock farms.
"However, the government was taking steps to increase beef and mutton production, for which they spend a total of Rs 89 million on various schemes," he added.
To another question, the minister said, "The government was planning to make Saihwal, Okara, Jhang and Muzaffargarh districts as model districts for livestock development. Moreover, the department was setting up laboratories in 10 districts to facilitate livestock farmers."
The legislators also welcomed Balochistan Assembly Speaker Jamal Shah Kakar, who watched the proceedings from the guest gallery.
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