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| 14 May 2004 | Friday | 23 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
NFC talks inconclusive
ISLAMABAD, May 13: An informal meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) on Thursday could not reach a consensus on the distribution of resources under the sixth award
but the parties 'crystallized' their respective positions for feedback from their governments.
Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz told newsmen after a day-long sitting with provincial finance ministers and non-official members that the federal government's offer to the provinces of a 47 per cent share in the divisible pool was final and there was no room for further improvement.
A source close to the finance minister claimed that provinces had accepted the offer with minor adjustments. Other indications also pointed to a softening in the provinces' stance, though they would not settle for a share below 48 per cent.
Sindh finance minister Syed Sardar Ahmad said an agreement should be reached between 47 and 50 per cent. Balochistan finance minister Syed Ehsan Shah said it appeared that provinces would have to settle for 47 per cent share as the centre had taken a strong position.
NWFP finance minister Siraj-ul-Haq said the provinces repeated their demand for a 50 per cent share and hoped that a Rs12 billion gap between the 47 and 50 per cent share would be bridged by the federal government in deference of the elected provincial governments.
He said he was encouraged by the positive response from the federal finance minister and water and power minister on his demand for an increase in the net hydel profit from Rs6 billion to Rs10 billion as an interim arrangement, to be adjusted against the final award of the arbitration commission.
"Both the (federal) ministers have agreed to discuss it with Wapda chairman...they were positive and I am hopeful," Siraj said, who had separate meetings with the two on Wednesday.
Shaukat Aziz said all the stakeholders made progress on all outstanding issues, but added: "It is time to take decisions".
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