April 24, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 23: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday announced Rs10 million development fund for every member of the National Assembly, irrespective of party affiliation, provided a member submits a scheme or project to the government.

Addressing a meeting of the parliamentary party, Mr Gilani said the amount would be released from the prime minister’s discretionary fund, PPP’s parliamentary affairs secretary Izhar Amrohi told newsmen about the meeting.

He said the prime minister had again expressed readiness to issue an executive order for the reinstatement of deposed judges whenever the coalition leaders so desired.

The members offered various suggestions to the prime minister for good governance and efficient functioning of the government.

One member called for revamping the system of Zakat and Usher distribution by involving MNAs and MPAs from various districts to make it effective.

The meeting was informed that Rs70 million had been given to the CDA for construction of an additional block for those lawmakers who could not get accommodation in the parliament lodges.

Members proposed construction of large and small dams for overcoming water shortage.

On the flour crisis, the meeting was informed that restrictions on inter-district movement of wheat had already been lifted while a proposal for lifting the ban on inter-provincial movement would be considered at a meeting to be held by the federal minister for food and agriculture with the four provincial chief ministers on Thursday.

The parliamentarians were asked to come up with suggestions on ways of using foreign investments for construction of medium and small dams.