ISLAMABAD, June 16, 2014: The Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly opened debate on Budget during 2nd sitting of its 9th session on Monday, says Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.
Overall 24 members – 21 PML-N, and one each of PTI, PML and PPPP expressed their views on the provincial budget 2014-15.
The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting that lasted four hours and 30 minutes. The provincial Minister for Finance attended the entire proceedings. A total of 55 members were present at the outset while 13 were there at the adjournment. A maximum of 107 members were present at one point of the sitting.
The House observed two-minute silence over the killing of minority lawmaker of Balochistan Assembly.
Following are some key observations of the proceedings:
Members’ Participation in House Proceedings:
- The Punjab Assembly met for four hours and 30 minutes.
- The sitting started at 1625 hours against the scheduled time of 1500 hours, witnessing a delay of an hour and 25 minutes.
- Fifty-five members were present at the start, 13 at the adjournment while a maximum 107 at one point during the sitting.
- The Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 35 minutes while the remaining proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker.
- The Chief Minister did not attend the sitting while the Leader of the Opposition was there for an hour and 45 minutes.
- The parliamentary leaders of JI and PPPP attended the sitting.
- Four minority members were present.
Representation and Responsiveness
- The debate on budget was dominated by 21 PML-N members followed by one each lawmaker of PTI, PPPP and PML.
Order and Institutionalization
- A PML-N lawmaker walked out of the House at 1918 hours complaining against not getting enough time to speak on the budget. He did not return till end of the sitting.
Transparency
- ‘Orders of the day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
- Information on members’ attendance was unavailable to observers and the public.
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The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Punjab Assembly proceedings conducted by PATTAN Development Organization, a member organization of FAFEN