Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim informed the Sindh Assembly on Thursday that no appointments had been made in the Fisheries Department as there was complete ban on fresh recruitment.
He made these observations in a written reply to a question asked by Hafiz Mohammed Naeem during question hours. Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah was in the chair.
Naeem challenged the assertions made by the chief minister, saying his reply was contrary to factual position and as a matter of fact the appointments were made in the Fisheries Co-operative Department despite ban.
Sindh Finance Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed said that in such cases where reports contrary to facts were received were being looked into.
In response to a question, asked by Nawab Ali Wasan regarding shortage of medicines for animals, the chief minister, in his written reply, said that funds had been allocated for purchase of essential medicines, and this had been done for each affected district separately.
To meet emergency, Rs 5.4 million was provided in the Budget 2003-04 to the Animal Husbandry Department.
The chief minister said all available remedial resources were being utilised to provide necessary medicines for the treatment of animals on emergency basis to each district.
However, after the devolution of power, the district governments were responsible for looking after the needs of veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the province.
In reply to another question from Humaira Alwani, who was informed that Avian Influenza around Karachi poultry, especially layer, was adversely affected. It was als of stated that farmers were adopting bio-security methods and precautionary measures to protect their birds against influenza.
The assembly was informed that this disease occurred in last summer in Surjani Town, for which necessary samples were collected which confirmed presence of Avian Influenza.
Whereas, the current problem started from the beginning of November 2003 in the Poultry Estate No.1, Gadap, National Highway and Korangi in Karachi and mortality went up from 20 percent to 90 percent. The disease was under control now.
Replying to a supplementary question, Sindh Finance Minister Ahmed said poultry farms were a commercial venture, and it was the responsibility of the government to procure medicines to save this industry.
The medicine is now being produced in the country, he said, adding that 20 million anti-Avian Influenza disease dozes were supplied to the farmers.
Responding to query from Asar Das, the minister said the government would consider involving the MPAs in conceiving and planning development schemes under the annual development plan.
Ahmed said as far as the schemes for the poor minority communities through MPAs programme were concerned, the Sindh government had extended funds amounting to Rs 5 million in the special programme and Rs 5 million in the priority programme for all the members of the assembly. It is for both members of the opposition as well as treasury.
All those to whom the money had been provided could undertake work in accordance with laid down rules and criteria for the implementation of work. He said a proposal was under consideration for repair of temples.
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