ISLAMABAD, April 30, 2014: The Sindh Assembly held post budget (2013-14) review discussion and passed a resolution demanding provincial cabinet to approve Sindh Home Based Workers Policy 2014 during 17^th sitting of the 12^th session on Wednesday, says Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

A total of 15 members – MQM (8), PPPP (6) and PML-F (one) – took part in the debate that consumed 81 per cent of the total sitting time. The discussion was made on “receipts of the province, 2013-14”, “current revenue expenditure, 2013-14”, “current capital expenditure, 2013-14” and “development expenditure, 2013-14”. The members identified weaker areas where the budget amount had not been spent despite allocation. They also shared details about the expenditures incurred in various sectors and revenue generation.

Tabled by MQM female lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the provincial cabinet to approve Sindh Home Based Workers Policy, 2014 by recognizing rights and importance of home-based workers in the economy and labour market. It also called for necessary legislation to protect and encourage home-based workers across the province.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs moved a motion for appointment of a member of Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The House took up the motion and PPPP lawmaker Lal Chand Ukrani was nominated as PAC’s new member.

Following are some key observations of the House proceedings:

Members’ Participation in the House Proceedings

• The Sindh Assembly met for two hours and 57 minutes, taking three-minute break.
• The sitting started at 1015 hours against the scheduled time of 1000 hours, witnessing a delay of 15 minutes.
• The Deputy Speaker chaired the sitting for two hours and 22 minutes while a member of panel of chairpersons presided over the remaining proceedings.
• The Chief Minister attended the sitting for 22 minutes while the slot for Leader of the Opposition is still vacant.
• The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, PTI, MQM and PML-F attended the sitting.
• Seven members were present at the outset, 52 at the adjournment, while a maximum of 68 lawmakers were observed to be present at one point during the sitting.
• Seven minority members attended the sitting.
• One member applied for leave.

Output

• Tabled by MQM female lawmaker, the House unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the provincial cabinet to approve Sindh Home Based Workers Policy, 2014 by recognizing rights and importance of home-based workers in the economy and labour market. It also called for necessary legislation to protect and encourage home-based workers across the province.

Representation and Responsiveness

• The Sindh Assembly held post budget review discussion for two hours and 24 minutes. The discussion was held on “receipts of the province, 2013-14”, “current revenue expenditure, 2013-14”, “current capital expenditure, 2013-14” and “development expenditure, 2013-14”.
• A total of 15 members – MQM (8), PPPP (6) and PML-F (one)- took part in the debate that consumed 81 per cent of the total sitting time.
• Minister for Parliamentary Affairs moved a motion for appointment of a member of Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The House took up the motion and PPPP lawmaker Lal Chand Ukrani was nominated as PAC’s new member.

Order and Institutionalization

• The lawmakers raised four points of order consuming seven minutes of the proceedings.
• The Chair gave a ruling that no member would bring edibles in the House in future.

Transparency

• ‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and others.
• Information on members’ attendance was available to observers and the public.

 

The Daily Factsheet is based on direct observation of Sindh Assembly proceedings conducted by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), a member organization of FAFEN