Body formed on issue of toll tax levy

Punjab Assembly on Tuesday deliberated on issue of levy of toll tax on various roads in Punjab.
Deputy Speaker Shaukat Hussain Mazari formed a 12-member committee to handle the issue.
The committee that comprises Provincial Ministers Dr Shafiq Ahmed Chaudhry, Chaudhry Zahir-ud-Din, legislators Rana Sanaullah, Raja Riaz, Rana Aftab Ahmed, Shaikh Ijaz Ahmed, Jehanzeb Gul, Dr Wasim Akhtar, Dr Asad Moazzim, Ehsan Ullah Waqas, is headed by Senior Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja.
Raja Riaz, opposition member speaking on a Point of Order on the issue of illegal toll tax, said a number of cut throats were involved in receiving such tax on roads in Punjab. These people were making life of citizens miserable in the province.
In Faisalabad, this tax has been levied without permission of provincial government, he added.
Rana Sanaullah Deputy Leader of Opposition in his Point of Order criticised difficulties being faced by people due to such tax in Faisalabad. Syed Ehsan Ullah Waqas an MPA from Muttahida Majlis Ammal (MMA) speaking on the issue said that toll tax that was nullified some time back in Punjab capital appear to be levied again.
PML-N Punjab provincial assembly member Shaikh Ijaz Ahmed speaking on a Point of Order mentioned illegal occupation of costly land in front of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad.
Muhammad Basharat Raja Senior Minister answering a question pertaining to provincial home department stated that 3,124 people died in total 5,277 accidents that took place in the province during the year 2002.
He stated that a total of 73 cases of ransom were registered in the province during 2002. Replying to a question asked by MPA Ajasim Sharif on police welfare fund and benevolent fund, Provincial Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja stated that at present an amount of Rs 7,792,046 in welfare fund and Rs 21,964,587 in benevolent fund existed in the province.
Provincial Law Minister Muhammad Basharat Raja answering a question on issuance of driving licenses in the province said that besides personal appearance a number of stringent tests have to be passed in this connection.
Saeed Akbar Nawani Minister for Jails Punjab answering a question in the assembly stated that at present there were 50,486 prisoners in Punjab jails.
This overfilling in jails is against capacity of 17,637 prisoners. Answering another question he informed the House that a total of 7,642 staff was serving provincial jails at present.