PA ratifies special troops for CPEC

LAHORE

Punjab Assembly on Wednesday, through a resolution, ratified the deployment of Special Security Division Troops for the CPEC project across Punjab under Article 147 read with Article 245 of the Constitution.

The resolution was moved by Khalil Tahir Sindhu, provincial minister for minorities, as Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah Khan was not present on the occasion.

The resolution was passed by majority vote. Besides, the PA also passed three bills; Shahr-e-Khamoshan Authority Bill, Women Protection Authority Punjab Bill and the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Bill 2017; after all the proposed amendments by Opposition were rejected.

Under the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Bills, an inspection authority would be established in Punjab to monitor the working of boilers, whereas, it would be mandatory on factory owners to seek registration certificates for the boilers.

Moreover, the PA also extended the period of seven ordinances for next 90 days which included Women Protection Authority Punjab, Shahr e Khamosha Authority, Boilers and Vessels Punjab, Medical University, Rawalpindi, Medical University Punjab, Nishtar Medical University and Police Ordinance.

The factories owners have also been bound legally to recruit qualified boilers engineers and technicians as failing to do so would result in imprisonment and fine. Under the Women Protection Authority Bill, a body comprising four members of the PA, including two women and senior serving police official, would ensure proper provision of justice to women and monitor the complaints of violence against them registered in police stations.

Earlier, during the question hour session, the PA was told that the mill owners were legally bound  to pay the farmers within 15 days, otherwise, they would have to made the payments along with the profit.

Asad Ullah Arain, parliamentary secretary for food, during the question hour session, stated that government had also taken action against the mills which had failed to pay the growers within the stipulated time period.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Mohammed Iqbal expressed serious dismay over the absence of minister, parliamentary secretary and secretary of Livestock and Dairy Development while directing them to provide the queries related to their department by Monday.

He warned the officials of strict action if they failed to submit the answers. After the completion of agenda, the Speaker adjourned the session till Thursday (today).