Sindh Assembly approves Rs 55.85 billion demands for grants: opposition's Rs 56.656 million cut motions rejected

Sindh Assembly on Friday approved 49 demands for grants of around Rs 55.850727 billion for different departments of the provincial government after "vehemently" rejecting the opposition's 360 cut-motions proposing a reduction of over Rs 56.656 million in the Supplementary Expenditure for 2008-09.
Concluding the general discussion on Budget 2009-10, Leader of the House Qaim Ali Shah defended his government's budgetary measures aimed primarily on poverty alleviation against the leader of a friendly opposition, Jam Madad Ali of PML-F. Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro was appreciative of the "goodwill" gesture when the opposition refused to hold discussion on the charged expenditure.
Abdul Razzak Rahimoon, Shehryar Khan Mehar, Mohammad Ali Malkani, Dr Mohamad Rafique Bhamban, Nusrat Sehr Abbasi and Marvi Rashdi, each member tabling 60 cut-motions, highlighted over-expenditure and misappropriations in seven demands for grants from various departments.
"It is unnecessary burden on the public exchequer... the amount could have been used in somewhere better place," were the main arguments cited by the opposition members in defence of their motions. Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah showed mirror to Leader of the Opposition Jam Madad Ali when the latter, though calling the new budget "not bad', questioned the government on the pledged "good governance".
Calling provincial autonomy as need of the hour, Jam said the attitude of some lawmakers in Punjab Assembly on water issue had disclosed that the province was not ready to embrace Sindh as a "big brother".
He complained about the appointment of at least 45 officers from federal government in Sindh in Grade 19 and 20, out of turn promotions, the reappointment of 57 officers in violation of Sindh Civil Servant Act 1991, non-representation of Sindh in Competition Commission of Pakistan, the existence of 16 OPS officers on Grade 19 and 20, last year's Rs 2 billion allocation for an invisible housing scheme, lack of legal cover to Kalabagh Dam and an untimely release of funds and startup of development projects throughout the outgoing fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the speaker announced that total 136 members, including leader of the house, participated in the seven-day budget discussion against 92 of last year. "I can't tell you Mr Jam how many demands (breaching rules of good governance) are pending in our computers from your side," Qaim directly addressed the smiling opposition leader.
About his government's decision not to make reappointment, the chief minister said the cabinet's decision was not a divine verdict and, like every rule, was always open for exemptions. "Due to shortage of officers the revenue and police departments were declared exempted from this announcement," he clarified.
About untimely release of allocated funds, Qaim said funds were released in two tranches in September and January during 2008-09 but from this year it would be released from July.
Commenting on budget Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, Pir Mazharul Haque and Syed Sardar Ahmed of MQM lauded a visionary leadership of the coalition government for presenting a "people-friendly" budget. Earlier, Information Minister Shazia Marri and Information Technology Minister Raza Haroon responded to supplementary questions of the members during Question Hour.
During lunch-prayer break Power and Irrigation Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah flanked by Shazia Marri told media that the decision to distribute water among the provinces equally was taken by Irsa and not the President. He said Sindh was facing 40 percent shortage of water along with the other provinces. The house would meet again today, on Saturday, at 9:30am to consider Sindh Finance Bill 2009-10.