Parliament Lodges: Senate body takes notice of issues faced by senators

Senate House Committee has taken serious notice of the issues being faced by the parliamentarians at the Parliament Lodges and directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) to look into the matter.

A meeting of the Senate House Committee was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Senate, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla here at the Parliament House on Wednesday.

The committee inquired about the issues faced by senators at the Parliament Lodges. Chairman Committee Saleem Mandviwalla took serious notice of the issues and directed CDA staff designated at the Parliament Lodges to look into the matter.

The committee was informed that CDA faces a dearth of funds due to which numerous issues have arisen. The committee directed CDA to submit a utilization report, without which the Finance Department would release no funds. Details of all work conducted at the Parliament Lodges must be submitted as well. A committee was formed to address the issues.

While taking up the issues of hiring of a new consultant for construction of a new block at Parliament Lodges, the committee was informed that TORs have been formulated and a tender for hiring of the consultant will be placed next week. The previous consultant has been disengaged. The committee was informed that the process would be completed by December.

The committee was requested to summon the Finance Division in the next meeting. As changes in PC-1 are anticipated, it is imperative that the the Finance and Planning Divisions be taken on board.

Deliberating over the issue of high electricity bills at Parliament Lodges, the committee was directed to check all electricity metres at the premises. The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) was also instructed to discourage outstanding payments beyond two months.

Discussing the conditions of the water filter plant at the Lodges, the committee decided to obtain random water samples and have it checked by a private company to address health concerns of the members associated with it.

The members who attended the meeting include Senators Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini, Samina Saeed, Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Kulsoom Parveen, Shamim Afridi, Ata-Ur-Rehman, Kesho Bai, Molvi Faiz Muhammad, Sana Jamali, Anwar Lal Dean and Gianchand, as well as senior officers from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) along with all concerned. The chairman CDA was also present.