ISLAMABAD, June 28, 2016: The Punjab Assembly held discussion on the supplementary budget 2015-16 on Tuesday during 10th sitting of 22nd (Budget) session, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:
Members’ Participation
- The Punjab Assembly met for four hours.
- The sitting started at 1045 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours.
- The Speaker presided over the sitting for three hours and 35 minutes while a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presided over rest of the sitting. The Deputy Speaker was absent.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting.
- The Leader of the Opposition attended the sitting for an hour and 44 minutes.
- The Finance Minister attended the sitting for two hours and 23 minutes.
- Five lawmakers (1%) were present at the outset and 13 (3%) at the adjournment of the sitting.
- The parliamentary leaders of PPPP and JI attended the sitting.
- Seven minority members were present.
Output
- The Standing Committees on Home Affairs and Live Stock presented their reports on legislative proposals referred to them while the Committee on Privileges laid its report on a Privilege Motion.
- The House also granted an extension of two months to each of the Committee on Privileges and Standing Committees on Housing & Urban Development, Communications & Works, Services & General Administration and Food for presentation of their reports.
Representation and Responsiveness
- Eighteen lawmakers – PTI (eight), PML-N (five), PPPP and PML (two each) and JI (one) – took part in General Discussion on Supplementary Budget for the year 2015-16 consuming three hours and 21 minutes.
- The House deferred a Privilege Motion of a PML-N lawmaker.
Order and Institutionalization
- The lawmakers spoke on three Points of Order consuming as many minutes of the proceedings.
- A JI lawmaker staged a walkout to register his protest on neglecting Bahawalpur in development schemes. He did not return to the House till the adjournment.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.
- Information on members’ attendance is available on the Assembly’s website.
The daily factsheet is based on direct observation of the Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization – a member organization of FAFEN. Errors and omissions are excepted.