April 05, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 4: The Senate House Committee on Friday took note of, what it called, deteriorating condition of the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges, and asked the Finance Division to release the required funds and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to carry out the repairs.

The meeting, which was presided over by acting Senate chairman Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali, recommended the upgradation of the Senate banquet hall.

It also called for according priority to the renovation of washrooms, kitchen and pantry, and the existing 130 dinning chairs.

In view of the availability of meagre funds (Rs1.2 million only), the Senate body decided that instead of purchasing new expensive chairs for the dinning hall, the existing ones would be repaired/upgraded so that the remaining funds could be utilised for renovation of washrooms and pantry, which were presently giving a very shabby look to the entire premises.

National Assembly speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza has already directed the authorities to immediately initiate the repair of the Parliament House. She observed that the furniture, carpets and curtains should be replaced.

The acting Senate chairman informed the participants of the meeting that he would personally undertake a visit to the Parliament Lodges on Saturday to look into the complaints made by a number of parliamentarians regarding lack of proper upkeep and appalling conditions, especially leakages and poor condition of furniture, carpets and curtains.

Earlier, senior officials of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) attending the meeting requested that the minimum requirement of Rs108 million should be met on urgent basis for the renovation of the Parliament Lodges.

Responding to the request, the acting chairman assured that he would take up the matter with the finance minister when he attended the meeting of the Senate Finance Committee scheduled for April 8, besides pursuing the case with the ministry as any more delay would further complicate the things.

He, however, requested the members to determine priorities in view of the paucity of funds. He informed that the National Assembly deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi was also being taken on board regarding the issue of renovation and security at the Parliament Lodges.

It was also suggested that a mail room be reserved at the Parliament Lodges to keep the important letters/correspondence of the parliamentarians in safe hands and to ensure their prompt delivery.

Some members complained about occasional presence and stay of unauthorised persons in the Parliament Lodges, especially in the wake of prevailing security threats.