QUETTA, June 27: Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd said on Monday that law-enforcement agencies had been ordered to take tough action against kidnappers, adding that protection of people's life was prime responsibility of the state.

He said that although the law and order situation was not satisfactory, government was making concerted efforts to ensure peace in the province.

Winding up the debate on the budget, Mr Kurd assured the provincial assembly that reservations of members over distribution of development funds would be addressed.

He said the coalition government led by Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani believed in consultations. Referring to the reservation expressed by members about Rs15 billion allocated for development, he said it was an official document which would be placed before members for discussion.

Mr Kurd said the government would try to accommodate proposals and suggestions made by members, adding that consultation was the best way of resolving issues.

Earlier, 19 ministers took part in the budget debate and their main concern was law and order problem and allocations for development. They were of the opinion that development of education and health sectors and economic progress were meant for people, but if their lives were not safe than these were of little importance for them.

The ministers said that lack of energy, water, education and healthcare facilities were major problems faced by the people of Balochistan. “It is the responsibility of the government to take measures to resolve these issues.”

They said the chief minister, senior minister for planning and development and finance minister should have taken them into confidence while taking decisions relating to allocation of funds for development projects.

The house unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon the federal government to run the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) till 2012 because it had approved the PC-1 in 2009 for three years.

Under the 18th Amendment, the NCHD will be transferred to provinces.

The resolution also demanded that funds allocated under this head should be provided to the Balochistan government. The session was adjourned till Tuesday.