LAHORE, Jan 27: Transfer of a number of governor’s powers with respect to the removal of officials from service and matters concerning the Bank of Punjab to the “provincial government” will be given legal cover as the Punjab Assembly takes up ordinances on them during the 10-day session due to begin here on Wednesday.

Legislation on entertaining marriage parties with food and ban on sale of cigarettes to children below 18 is also expected to be enacted.

According to official sources, protection given to Nazimeen and Naib Nazimeen against no-confidence motions till June 30 this year will also be given legal cover during the session.

The Punjab Removal from Service (special powers) Ordinance, 2002, The Bank of Punjab (First amendment) Ordinance, 2002, and the Punjab Local Government (First amendment) 2002, will be taken up by the house, scheduled to remain in session till Feb 7.

This will be the first session with such a heavy agenda.

The earlier session requisitioned by opposition parties was prorogued by the speaker within minutes on account of lack of quorum. No business had been transacted, though it cost the exchequer over Rs5 million in allowances to legislators and the assembly staff.

The session beginning on Jan 29 has been called by the government, although opposition parties were again planning to requisition one.

For the session beginning on Wednesday, 192 adjournment motions, 26 privilege motions, 743 questions and some 80 resolutions have been submitted.

Resolutions to be taken up by the house will be selected through a draw on the first day of the session.

According to the agenda, on Jan 29 some bills will be introduced and ordinances laid before the house. The same day, a discussion will be held on education.

Opposition legislators will highlight the unrest among teachers on the issue of boards of governors. A commission has already been constituted by the government to look into the utility of these boards.

Jan 30 session will be devoted to a discussion on the law and order situation in the province.

The following day, the house will hold a general discussion on health. Boards of governors constituted for health institutions will come under fire at the session as opposition parties have expressed solidarity with doctors opposed to these supervisory bodies.

There will be no session on Feb 1 and 2. But on Feb 3, a general discussion will be held on housing and physical planning.

Feb 4 will be the private member’s day.

Feb 5 will be an off day and the following two days have been earmarked for legislation.