LAHORE, Oct 22: The provincial government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the Punjab Assembly to amend the Punjab Privileges Act, 1972, for provision of official plate bearing letters “MPA” to all members of the house for their respective vehicles at government expenses.
The chair, being held by Rai Ejaz at that time, referred the bill to the standing committee concerned with the direction to present a report on it within two days.
Under the suggested clause 15-A, a member shall be entitled to display on his vehicle, for distinctive appellation, an official plate issued by the assembly secretariat along with a jacket at government expenses.
The official plate shall be used only on a specific vehicle, the registration number of which shall be intimated to the assembly secretariat. It will be exhibited only when the member himself is present in the vehicle.
Violation of the two rules will call for surrendering the plate on a direction by the speaker.
A duplicate, in case the original plate is damaged or stolen, will be issued only after payment of charges by the MPA concerned.
If an assembly member ceases to hold office for any reason, he will surrender the plate to the assembly secretariat within three days.
According to Law Minister Raja Basharat, when enacted, the law would help check misuse of “MPA” insignia by lawmakers and lawbreakers as well, besides giving due recognition to the MPAs.
No other party except the PA secretariat would be authorized to get the plate manufactured as its specific design would be registered with the relevant department, he said.
The house also adopted a motion to amend rules of procedure of the Punjab Assembly to enhance the quorum for a sitting of a Public Accounts Committee or Committee on Privileges from three to four elected members.
The need to increase the quorum was felt after strength of these committees was enhanced from 10 to 13.
Food Minister Chaudhry Iqbal also laid reports on Observance and Implementation of Principles of Policy 2002, Performance of the Provincial Ombudsman Office 2002, and Punjab Baitul Maal 2002 before the house.