Coal reserves should be used for power generation: Sindh Assembly begins discussion on budget

The Sindh Assembly during its session on Monday began general discussion on the provincial budget for next fiscal 2007-08, and supplementary budget for the 2006-07. Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah presided over the session.
Five members, two from treasury and three form opposition took part in the discussion. Sindh Culture Minister Abdul Rauf Siddiqui and provincial Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Sohrab Khan Sarki, while appreciating the budget described it as a development and welfare budget in which record allocations have been made for scores of development schemes.
They said the development outlay of Rs 71 billion would not only generate the employment opportunities in the province, but also change the fate and future of the people of the province. They noted that the government would continue to provide maximum allocations to the sectors like agriculture, health and education, while special emphasis is being laid on the improvement in law and order and promotion and protection of environment and culture.
The members from opposition criticised the budget specially the price-hike and law and order in the province. They suggested that like other parts of the world the coal reserves should be used for power generation. They also demanded more allocations for social development sectors and transparency and good governance in the province.
Earlier, the House through a resolution jointly moved by the treasury and opposition condemned the award of "knighthood" for Salman Rushdi the author of 'Satanic Verses' and demanded the British government to withdraw the award. The resolution unanimously adopted by the House.
During the question hours, provincial Excise and Taxation Minister Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani told the House the government was making all out efforts to control and eradicate the drug menace from the province.
The government was establishing check-posts equipped with the most modern facilities at all the entrance points to control the entry of drugs and narcotics in the province. He asked the elected representatives and members of different segments of the society to support the efforts of the government in the eradication of this menace.
Irrigation Minister Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari, responding to a point of order, told the House the government would ensure the provision of irrigation water to all the areas, including the tail-ends. He said the inflow of water is gradually improving in the province. Later, the House was adjourned to meet on Tuesday morning.