The special funds of Rs 5 million given to every MNA and Senator came up for heated discussion during the Question Hour in the Senate on Tuesday. While a Senator from opposition termed this a bribe, some others from the treasury regarded it essential for local development schemes under the devolution plan.
The issue came to limelight when replying to a question raised by Ismael Buledi, Minister of State for Finance Omar Ayub discussed special grant of Rs 100 million for 26 districts of Balochistan, Senator Anwar Bhinder asked the minister as to why special allocations were not made for NWFP and Punjab.
At this, Omar Ayub informed the House that the Prime Minister has allocated special grant for Balochistan during his visit. As far as other areas are concerned he stated that Rs 56 million were given to every MNA and Senator for development work in their respective constituencies.
This provoked the opposition Senator Abdur Raheem Mandokheil to state that the grant to elected representatives was nothing but a bribe, and a source of corruption.
At this Pari Gul Agha from treasury said that Balochistan needs allocations. "If it is a bribe, you should not take 5 million amount".
The State minister condemned the charge saying that it was in no way a bribe. It was meant for development schemes of their respective constituencies. "This amount is not to be used for purchase of cars, Iftar parties and interior decoration of offices. The money is to be used for small irrigation schemes, local developmental schemes, schools and dispensaries", he added.
Senator Ismael Buledi asked the Commerce Minister that why people of Balochistan were deprived jobs as only one person was appointed last year in BPS-17 in Customs from Balochistan.
Omar Ayub replied that the government has given 3.6 percent representation to the people of Balochistan province and small provinces are given preference in this regard.
He said that there are two programmes ie Khushaal Pakistan Programme and the PSDP. During the current financial year, lump-sum provision of Rs 4420 million in PSDP was made and funds amounting to Rs 7, 500 million were allocated by the government in current financial year for the Khushal Pakistan Programme.
However, Senator Buledi criticised the statements of Omar Ayub saying that the minister has evaded the question.
Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad asked the minister for Privatisation and Investment to inform the House about the proposed disposal of the surplus land of the Carrier Telephone Industries (CTI). .
Awais Leghari, on behalf of Privatisation and Investment Minister, replied that the surplus land of the CTI will be reverted to the Government. IT and Telecom Division is dealing with the utilisation of the surplus land including the proposed development of IT and Telecom parks on this land.
Senator Khurshid asked the minister to inform the House regarding the present market value of the machinery and equipment of the CTI recently sold out.
It was replied that the replacement value determined by the valuator for plant, machinery and other assets was Rs 244.67 million.
Senator Ilyas Bilour asked the Population Welfare Minister Shahbaz Hussain to inform the House that if funds are properly disbursed in four provinces of the country including Balochistan.
The minister replied that the federal government has done justice in disbursement of funds to all provinces including Balochistan.
Senator Liaquat Bangalzai asked Shahbaz Hussain that why 105 posts fixed for Balochistan were not advertised in the newspapers saying " it is a cheating with the people of Balochistan."
However, the minister denied the statement saying that Balochistan provincial government has properly advertised the vacant seats in newspapers adding that Liaquat Bangalzai's absence was the reason that he has no information in this regard.
Senator Anwer Baig asked the minister about sugar import from India and what action was taken by the government against sugar hoarders as sugar price has been increased upto Rs 45 per kilogram.
Commerce Minister Humayun Akhter said that the country imported 5.5 lakh tons of sugar during the current year out of that 2 lakh tons was imported from India.
Commerce Minister admitted in the House that total trade deficit recorded during the current financial year was 259.324 million dollar in favour of India.
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