LAHORE: On the first day of the 23rd session of the Punjab Assembly, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday came hard on the PML-N benchers and criticized their past governments for not addressing the problems facing the urban areas of Punjab.
During the question-answer session on housing and public health engineering, the PML-N benchers criticized the government for depleting urban infrastructure, which was causing problems for the people during the monsoon session.
While responding to the criticisms, the Speaker said the PML-N ruled Punjab for 10 years, but it could not improve the sewerage system in cities. "Had a proper system been developed, the people today would not have faced any difficulties. In the past, the rulers were busy with photo sessions while wearing long boots during the monsoon," he added.
Meanwhile, on a point of order, PML-N legislator Malik Ahmad Khan said the working members of the Assembly were affiliated to the standing committees and hence they should be empowered.
The Speaker asked Punjab Law Minister Muhammad Raja Basharat to look into the matter; "this issue is very important as the empowerment of the standing committees will increase the interest of members". The Law Minster assured the House that the government would play a democratic and positive role in this regard.
On the occasion, the House passed four bills, including Code of Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, Punjab Prevention of Hoarding Bill, Punjab Infection Diseases (Prevention and Control) Bill and Punjab Private Education Institution (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, by a majority of 2,020 votes. Moreover, the House referred three ordinances, including Ravi Urban Development Authority Ordinance, Punjab Undesirable Cooperative Societies (Dissolution) (Amendment) Ordinance and Punjab Co-operatives (Amendment) Ordinance to the relevant standing committees and directed them to submit a report in the House within two months.
Later, the Speaker adjourned the House till Thursday.
Meanwhile, while talking to media outside the Assembly, the Law Minister said that it would be a full-fledged session on legislation. He further said that as per the instructions of the Speaker, the implementation of SOPs against Corona would be ensured during the session. "Private Members' Day would also be fixed during this season which could not be held in the budget session," he added. He hoped that the opposition would deviate from the previous tradition and take a full part in the legislative process in the larger public interest.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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