PESHAWAR: PA committees spent millions but produced few reports
By Sadia Qasim Shah
PESHAWAR, Nov 6: Thirty-six committees of the NWFP assembly organised a total of 354 meetings, spending millions of rupees on them. However, a majority of the meetings ended without the adoption, or even submission, of committee reports.
“Some committees did present reports, few of which were adopted. But many committees did not submit reports even after a number of meetings. Their output was zero,” an official of the provincial assembly said.
Data obtained from the assembly secretariat revealed that standing committees on excise and taxation, health, home and tribal affairs, finance, industries, food, irrigation, population, environment and Auqaf did not present a single report.
The special committee on higher education held six meetings and the special committee on earthquake met eight times, but no report was tabled by them.
The various standing committees held several meetings, except for the one on finance which held only one meeting.
The highest number of meetings was held by the standing committee on works and services. It held 30 meetings and presented fours reports, two of which were adopted.
“Some members of the committee, who are also contractors, held meetings with works and services department officials to discuss issues pertaining to their own work,” said an official.
“Every committee had about nine members and they got Rs2,250 as daily allowance and Rs2 per kilometre as transport allowance for a meeting which usually extended to five days,” the official added.
The performance of the standing committee on law reforms was also poor, although it held 21 meetings. It presented one report, which was not adopted.
Dawn’s enquiries revealed that 30 committees — including standing, special and sub-committees — on some important departments adopted only nine reports in all.
The special committee on health adopted one report in nine meetings. The standing committee on administration presented one report after nine meetings, which was not adopted.
The standing committee on science and technology adopted one report in seven meetings. The standing committee on Zakat and Ushr held 16 meetings and adopted one report.
The standing committee on agriculture held 18 meetings and adopted three reports. The standing committee on works and services in its 30 meetings adopted two of its four reports.
The standing committee on planning and development held 11 meetings and presented one report. The standing committee on privileges held 21 meetings and adopted one report.
Chairmen of most of the standing committees kept the proceedings private and did not allow any outsider.
“Sometimes, even members were not present or joined the meeting late but their attendance was registered and they got handsome TA/DA,” sources privy to such meetings said.
MPAs Abdul Akbar Khan and Bashir Bilour, chairmen of two standing committees, could not be contacted for their comments on the issue.
