The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Wednesday expressed its concerns over, what it said, 'absolute powers' granted to the director general in the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority Bill 2019 and deferred the bill till its next meeting.
Mir Kabeer Shahi presided over the committee's meeting which discussed the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority Bill, 2019 and decided to defer it till next meeting for further consultations and devising of recommendations by the committee members.
Speaking on the occasion, the committee's chairman said absolute powers have been given to the Authority's DG in the proposed bill which needs to be considered to avoid any misuse of authority. The committee members agreed with him and asked the Ministry of Housing and Works to give a briefing on the matter in the next meeting.
While taking up the matter of abolishing the current mechanism of granting lease of commercial holdings, the committee was informed that the mechanism to be adopted now would be through open auction to grant lease to the highest bidder.
Regarding framing of rules to address issues involved in allotment/retention of temporary accommodation, the committee was informed that rules have been framed and approved by the Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) and are currently with the Cabinet Division. Discussing the construction of 50-60 rooms in Federal Lodge Quetta, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema categorically 'regretted' that no such project can be taken up by the ministry since currently the government policy is to privatize all such properties, he said. He, however, assured the committee that the ministry will ensure that the rooms are in 'livable' condition.
While being briefed on the illegal occupation of government accommodations in Federal Government Servant Colony Sariab Road, Quetta, and steps being taken to vacate it, the committee called for 'amicable' resolution of the issue. It was asserted that a policy must be formulated to regularize such lodgings countrywide and report to the committee within two months.
Taking up the matter of increase in fares for lodges of touring officers, the housing and works minister admitted that the measure was 'unfair' and that this decision will be reviewed; revising lodging fares according to allowances of the residing officers.
Apart from the housing and works minister, the committee members including Sajjad Hussain Turi, Naseebullah Bazai, Anwar Lal Dean, Khanzada Khan, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and senior officers from the Ministry for Housing and Works attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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