FAISALABAD, March 6: The District Council on Saturday approved a number of new projects amid uproar caused by an opposition group who was critical of the ruling party policies.
The special session of the District Assembly was held here under the chairmanship of Convener BK Tabish.
Dozens of councillors belonging to opposition and treasury benches exchanged heated arguments on several occasions. Some of them tried to indulge in physical fight but their colleagues prevailed upon the situation. The entire house of the District Assembly presented a fish market look due to rowdyism.
Immediately after recitation from the Holy Quran, councillor Sharafat Ali Khan presented a resolution before the house. In his resolution, he claimed that a comprehensive plan had been chalked out by the district government with the consultation of the local police to keep the law and order situation under control.
He further said that all Union Councils would be provided with a two-wheeler and a wireless set which would be used by a two-member team of policemen for patrolling purposes. Later, he sought approval of the resolution for earmarking funds.
At this, a number of councillors stood up on their seats and raised objections. They alleged that the policemen of special squads would be used for political purposes and victimization of opposition members, therefore, the proposal should be turned down.
District Nazim Zahid Nazir clarified that steps were being taken by the district government to arrest the trend of dacoities, robberies and incidents of vehicle-snatching in both urban and rural areas. The plan to provide a motorbike with a wireless set would facilitate the police force and would also be beneficial for controlling minor crimes at Union Council level.
He suggested the Convener to constitute a special committee comprising District Accounts Officer, Local Fund Audit Director, and District Officers of Finance and Law for completing legal formalities before earmarking required funds. The House approved the suggestion of the District Nazim unanimously.
Discussing another agenda item about utilization of funds for the promotion of education in the district, the councillors raised a number of objections and opposed the move vehemently.
The District Nazim further informed the House that the Punjab government had allocated a Rs156.5 million grant for the construction of boundary walls of schools, maintenance and repair of buildings of educational institutions, provision of water supply, drainage, furniture and toilets.He claimed that the schemes had been finalized under this head and needed the approval of the house.
After heated debate for and against procedure adopted by the district government for utilization of education funds, the House approved the schemes presented by the District Nazim.
The house rejected a proposal presented by councillor Muhammad Haneef seeking permission for relaxation of a ban on wagons on different routes.
Those who addressed the session were Tariq Bashir Ghauri, Dilbar Hameed, Raja Khalid Usman, Rana Naeem, Shakeel Shahid, Zahida Nusrat, Muhammad Afzal, Haneef, Sheikh Iqbal and Shazia Anjum advocate.