KARACHI, June 23: Taking part in the general discussion on the provincial budget 2003-04 on Monday, 12 members from the treasury benches described it ‘people-friendly’ and pointed out that priority had been given to social sectors by allocating more funds under this head than the previous budget.

While 51 and 14 per cent more funds have been made available for education and health sectors respectively, an amount of Rs160 million has been earmarked for potable water in Thar district, they observed.

The most glaring point raised during the discussion was the non-availability of a lady doctor at any of the basic health units, rural health centres and a dispensary in Thar district which is represented by six MPAs.

The debate on budget could be resumed only after the walkout by opposition members against the speaker’s ruling that had referred three identical privilege motions to a special committee.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Shabbir Qaimkhani, who was the first to speak in the debate, proposed that the allocations meant for Thal canal project from the federal budget be diverted to potable water schemes.

Dr Bhagoomal observed that minorities in the province were so poor to afford their medical treatment and called for financial assistance from Baitul Maal so as to provide them medicines free of cost.

Demanding a modern printing press for the Sindh Textbook Board to ensure quality of textbooks, he also stressed the need for audit of the Board’s accounts.

Idrees Siddiqui welcomed the budget and observed that no new taxes were introduced despite financial constraints.

Dr Saeeda Malik, Minister for Women Development, demanded elimination of all discriminatory laws against women. She expressed the view that Pakistan could only achieve progress when women, constituting more than half the total population, were provided equal opportunities.

She suggested that like in Punjab, Baitul Maal should be given under the control of the provincial government in Sindh.

Sultan Ahmad Khuawar said that as the NFC Award was based on population, its funds should be utilized for the poor who form 80 per cent of the population.

He also proposed that royalty should be demanded from the federal government under Article-161 for minerals, coal, gas and oil explored in Sindh.

Arbab Abdullah lamented that there were no pucca roads, college, and electricity in any part of his constituency, Nagarparkar, except in one village. He suggested that reservoirs should be built in Thar areas to preserve rain water that could cater to the needs of local people.

Farzana Saeed drew the attention of the house to the poor civic amenities in Hyderabad saying that the situation was result of the lack of funds with the local government. She proposed that a master plan should be prepared for the city and regularization of kutchi abadis be included in it.

She advised the opposition members that instead of opposing the LFO, they should join hands with the treasury benches for the implementation of schemes aimed at creating employment opportunities and improve people’s standard of living.

Abdul Razzaq Rahimo said that it should be made obligatory for doctors domiciled in Tharparker serve in Thar. He said those refusing to fulfil this obligation, should be blacklisted for a government job.

He deplored wasting of Rs9 million in sinking tubewells in his constituency saying that they remained useless because of being sunk only 600 feet deep instead of 1,100.

Dr Ramesh Kumar suggested that the criteria for recruiting teaching staff in Thar should be relaxed.

Minister for Food and Agriculture Arif Jatoi said that steps were being taken to make the agriculture department people-friendly. He said that the role of middleman would be minimized by providing the farmers a facility of direct access to market places.