ISLAMABAD, March 12, 2014: The lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly pointed out quorum for three times and the sitting had to be adjourned after the third headcount on Wednesday during the fourth sitting of 7th session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.
Three lawmakers, two belonging to PTI and one to PML, pointed out the quorum thrice during the sitting. The bells were rung for five minutes each. On the first two occasions, the House resumed its proceedings on finding the quorum complete, however, on the third instance it was found lacking and the sitting was adjourned.
The provincial minister for law introduced three bills comprising the Punjab Employees’ Efficiency, Discipline & Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2014, the Punjab Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Punjab Livestock Breeding Bill, 2014. The House referred all these bills to the relevant standing committees.
Moreover, twelve lawmakers debated the Punjab Development of Cities (Amendment) Bill, 2014 for an hour and 13 minutes. The government wanted to get the bill passed by the House but the sitting had to be adjourned due to lack of quorum. Another government bill included in the agenda, however, was not taken up.
The relevant minister responded to five of the 27 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) which were directed to the departments of youth affairs, sports, archaeology, and tourism. Two of the starred questions were deferred, one was disposed of while the rest of them could not be taken up. The members also asked 18 supplementary questions.
A privilege motion of a PML-N legislator was deferred. The House disposed of eight adjournment motions due to the absence of the mover, while seven other AMs received no response from the government. Five adjournment motions, meanwhile, were deferred for a later sitting.
Following are some key observations of the Parliamentary business:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 32 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1058 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 58 minutes.
- A total of 18 members were present at the start and 64 at the adjournment while a maximum of 99 at a point during the proceedings.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for three hours and 46 minutes while the Deputy Speaker presided over rest of the proceedings.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was present for four hours and 10 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
- Two minority members were present.
- No member applied for the leave.
Output
- The provincial minister for law introduced three bills. These include the Punjab Employees’ Efficiency, Discipline & Accountability (Amendment) Bill, 2014, the Punjab Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and the Punjab Livestock Breeding Bill, 2014. The House referred all these bills to the relevant standing committees.
- Moreover, twelve lawmakers debated the Punjab Development of Cities (Amendment) Bill, 2014 for an hour and 13 minutes. The government wanted to get the bill passed by the House but the sitting was adjourned due to lack of quorum. Another government bill included in the agenda was not taken up.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The relevant minister responded to five of the 27 starred questions (requiring oral as well as written replies) directed to the departments of youth affairs, sports, archaeology, and tourism. Two of the starred questions were deferred, one was disposed of while the others could not be taken up. The members also asked 18 supplementary questions.
- The privilege motion of a PML-N legislator was deferred. The House disposed of eight adjournment motions due to the absence of the mover, while seven other AMs received no response from the government. Meanwhile, five adjournment motions were deferred for a later sitting.
Order and Institutionalization
- Three lawmakers, two belonging to PTI and one to PML, pointed out quorum thrice during the sitting. The bells were rung for five minutes each. On the first two occasions, the House resumed its proceedings on finding the quorum complete, however, on the third instance it was found lacking and the sitting had to be adjourned.
- Members spoke on 28 points of order consuming 22 minutes of the proceedings.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN