Parliament House duty: Non-payment of honoraria to ICT police irks NA sub-committee

A sub-committee of National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurance considered pending assurances related to Interior Division, particularly on payment of honoraria to employees of police and other security related agencies which had performed duty in Parliament House during budget sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The sub-committee met under convenership of Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, here, to monitor all pending assurances and get them implemented. Other members of the sub-committee were Dr Fouzia Hameed, Malik Abrar Ahmed and Abdul Majeed Khan Khanankhail.
The pending assurances related to Information and Broadcasting Division also came under consideration as the sub-committee appreciated the briefing by the ministry about all disputes and payment of honoraria to employees of PTV who performed duty in the Parliament House during budget session 2016-18 and 2017-18.
It also discussed pending assurances related to Power Division. The issue of payment of honoraria to the employees of Accountant General Pakistan Revenue and Controller General of Accounts was also discussed.
The sub-committee recommended that honoraria be paid to those employees of ICT police who were on duty in the Parliament House, Islamabad, during budget sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. The committee was informed that the then minister for finance announced honoraria for the employees of different departments, who performed duty in the Parliament House, during budget sessions 2016-17 and 2017-18. All departments have paid honoraria to its employees except ICT police.
The sub-committee expressed its grave concern over the non-payment of honoraria to the employees of ICT police. The committee directed that the honoraria should be paid to them within fifteen days. However, an interim progress report may be furnished within seven days. The committee directed if the honoraria would not be paid then the secretary finance and secretary interior would be held responsible.
The sub-committee was informed that the employees of PTV have been paid the honoraria, which was appreciated. However, it recommended that PTV chairman may pay honoraria to the employees, if any, who performed the duty and could not be paid honoraria. However, any payment in this regard should strictly be made in accordance with the rules. It directed Power Division to address the issue of power load-shedding in district Buner within four weeks and submit weekly reports to the National Assembly.
The sub-committee recommended that the Ministry of Housing and Works might give equal status to the employees of National Assembly Secretariat and Senate Secretariat, as of other civil servants with respect to the allotment of houses and plots.