Besides approving Rs 2.506 trillion charged expenditure included in the demands for grants and appropriations for the financial year 2006, the government on Tuesday passed 108 out of 170 demands for grants to meet expenditures of various federal ministries, divisions and departments in the National Assembly. The opposition protested against some of the grants it called unreasonably high, but did not put an effective show.
Shaukat Aziz's administration survived an opposition attempt when lack of quorum was pointed out. However, the presence of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz easily spoiled the opposition's show, as 98 members were present in the House.
The opposition also faced embarrassment when they were also defeated in physical voting during the reading of demands for grants.
As per the details, there were 170 motions of demands for grants to meet expenditure during the year ending June 30, 2006, but only 108 were taken up. The opposition parties have proposed their recommendations on 62 motions.
Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Omar Ayub Khan moved all the motions. The opposition did not show any resistance and only a few motions were opposed, apparently testing the loyalty of the treasury members.
There are a few rumours among the political circles about another in-house change in very near future.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has also kept himself confined to the Parliament's premises during the entire budget session to ensure treasury members presence in both the houses.
Federal ministries and divisions, for which demands for grants have been taken, include Defence Division, Central Board of Revenue, Commerce Division, Communications Division, Pakistan Post Office Department, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Division, Economic Affairs Division, Defence Production Division, Statistics Division, Education Division, Higher Education Commission, federal government educational institutions in Islamabad, Environment Division and Zoological Survey Department, Finance Division, national savings, subsidies and miscellaneous expenditure, Revenue Division, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Division, etc.
The opposition has proposed recommendations for 62 motions which comprises Cabinet Division, Establishment Division, Federal Public Service Commission, National Accountability Bureau, Prime Minister's Inspection Commission, Atomic Energy, Defence Division, emergency relief, repatriation and others.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion on the charged expenditure included in demands for grants and appropriations for 2006, the opposition with the help of a few treasury members accused the government of making hurry in the budget session.
The opposition lawmakers said that there should be a pre-budget session to formulate well thought out proposals.
They said that the standing committees should also be allowed for thorough discussion on the proposed budget of their concerned ministries before introducing in the House.
Comments
Comments are closed.