Sindh PA debate on budget: opposition deplores over mere one percent allocation for public transport

The opposition on Tuesday continued pilling up criticism on the provincial budget 2019-20, pointing out at a scant allocation for the public transport development, during the Sindh Assembly sitting. The house held its second sitting to discuss the budget with PTI's lady lawmaker, Sidra Imran saying that the government's allocation for the development of public transport sector is just one percent, while no funding e-governance is going to receive during the next fiscal year.
She questioned that "how could we ensure transparency and better governance reforms," without allocating for the e-governance. She claimed that 6 million children are out of schools in Sindh while the government earmarked 7 percent for this sector uplift. For Karachi water supplies, the budget envisages on Rs9 billion out of Rs 288 billion.
PPP's Shazia Omer alleged the federal government for 'discarding' over 30 uplift schemes from its budget, saying that Sindh budget was 'balanced' and 'positive' despite financial constraints. She claimed that her party government has expanded its budgetary focus to law and order, education and healthcare. She appreciated her party government for abolishing examination fee of matric and intermediate students, which will yield better results.
MQM's female lawmaker, Mangla Sharma criticized the PPP government for low funding to the development projects for Hindu community, asking that what holds back the PPP from implementing the underage marriages of the religious minority girls. She said that religion of Hindu girls are being changed exploiting their poverty and backwardness. She asked that PPP government for not constituting the minority commission. "Bilawal's celebrating Holi is not going to solve Hindus problems," she added.
PPP's Kulsoom Chandio criticized premier, Imran Khan for hike in sugar prices and increase in budget funds for the prime minister house. She questioned the PTI government's pre-election claims of providing 10 million jobs and 5 million houses. During her speech, the PTI lawmakers caused pandemonium but she continued criticizing Imran Khan for his policies. MQM's Shahana Ashar said that the PPP government's past 11 years rule failed to improve the public life as roads are in tatters while citizens struggle to get clean drinking water.
Lady lawmaker of GDA, Naseem Rajpar said that the children are deprived of education despite billion of funds in the budget, saying that Sindh is tatters when it comes to the road infrastructure, healthcare and academic development. She said that the Sindh government's no role is missing in the face of deteriorating condition of the province. She said that hospital in Naushero Feroze stands rundown with plans from the government to upgrade it. Water shortage for irrigation in the tail areas of Sindh has virtually hit the crops, she said. The house will not meet on Wednesday morning at 11 am.