JALIL HASSAN AKHTAR
LAHORE: Women legislators from all parties in Punjab Assembly showed a rare unison to defend their rights to use funds as a provincial assembly legislator when Law Minister Rana Sanaullah observed in the session that they did not have a right to get fund in absence of constituencies.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Zaheer-u-Din on the point said that the whole country was their constituency. The minister said that he would have meeting with Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He assured that this issue would be resolved amicably. Legislators on their demand also agitated in the assembly premises on the occasion. Two of them made a token walk out.
In the session “The Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority “(Amendment Bill) was tabled and sent to standing committee to industry to report it back within one month period to the Chair. MPA Mohsin Laghari talking about pre-budget general discussion stated that federal government had no right to impose tax on agriculture produce. He said they would oppose this in the house. He said 80 percent finances of NFC Award are yet to be received by the Provincial government.
A number of other speakers talked about taking austerity measures in the budgetary exercise. They said that higher inflation had already hit the poor and middle class people of the society. Punjab Revenue Minister, Haji Ishaq speaking in the question period on revenue stated that Stamp Duty and Registration Fees were still levied in the province while only exemption in this regard had only been given regarding Corporate Agricultural Farming where agricultural companies would buy land for the purpose, he pointed.
He said it was mandatory that in each patwar circle revenue officers display in a proper, list of fees of registration, gift and transfer of property. The minister to a query said that work on settlement of land commenced in district Gujrat in November 2004 and according to District Officer Revenue this work would finish in 20-13-14, he said.
The Punjab Revenue Minister said that there were 1322 licensed Stamps dealers in District Lahore at present. He said Stamp Papers of the value of Rs, 1000 to Rs 15,000 was used for the purposes of registry. He said project was already underway for the computerisation of land records in Punjab. Journalists during the session boycotted the house proceeding as they alleged that police meted out harsh treatment to one of their colleagues in the city during day. The chair later adjourned the house.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:1/20/2011
