Govt seeks
suggestions on provincial autonomy
Bureau Report
LAHORE—Minister for interprovincial coordination Salim Saifullah Khan
has said proposals have been solicited from all the four provinces and
political parties on provincial autonomy till December 31.
He said this in his press briefing after interprovincial committee
meeting here Saturday. Punjab minister for communication Chaudhry
Zaheeruddin and Sindh minister for provincial coordination Dr Sohrab
Khan were also present on the occasion. The ministers from Balochistan
and NWFP did not attend the meeting.
About provincial autonomy, he said proposals have been invited from all
the provinces and political parties till December 31 in this respect.
MMA, PML-N, MQM, Balochistan Pakhtoon Khwa Milli party and others have
sent their proposals. “ We want the bill is passed by the present
government”, he added.
According to a private TV channel, Salim Saifullah said the
inter-provincial coordination committee has decided that all the four
provinces from the next year will recover capital value tax levied by
Central Board of Revenue (CBR). He informed that all the provinces will
be accorded financial autonomy as per their proposals. The provinces
will recover the capital value tax at the rate of 2 percent imposed by
CBR. All the provinces will be provided funds for development of
minerals.
He underscored that the women constitute half of the population of the
country. National gender reform program has been framed for them, which
will be got implemented. The Sindh and Punjab provinces put forth 5 and
three proposals on various matters related to promotion of
interprovincial harmony. The proposals presented by Sindh include loans
for farmers for rehabilitation of lands affected by water logging and
salinity, privatisation of Lakhra coal power and non payment of their
share amounting to Rs 50 million to the provinces from special grants
announced by the federal government for development of minerals.
Proposals presented by Punjab include smuggled arms inflow into
province, drug trafficking and outflow of stolen cars from Punjab to
other provinces. He told that record development work is being executed
in Balochistan. The environment is conducive there and Balochistan
situation will change in the next five years.
Regarding decisions taken with reference to agenda, he said report has
been sought from Wapda and other departments within one month on payment
of loans for prevention of salinity and water logging at the behest of
Sindh. Dues were payable by the federal government to provincial
departments. Steps will be taken to ensure expeditious payment .
About privatisation of Lakhra coal power, it has been decided that the
privatization process will be carried out by the federal government, he
added. About prevention of arms display in Punjab it has been decided
that federal government or NWFP government should purchase the arms
being manufactured in Adam Khel pass so that the events of arms display
in Punjab could be controlled, he informed. |
