Punjab Assembly Discusses Supplementary Budget 2015-16

ISLAMABAD, June 28, 2016: The Punjab Assembly held discussion on the supplementary budget 2015-16 on Tuesday during 10^th sitting of 22^nd (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.

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