No corruption in Shahbaz’s laptop scheme

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly was told on Tuesday that so far no corruption has been found in the laptop scheme, though an inquiry was initiated by the NAB in March last. During the question hour related to the Higher Education Department, Raja Yasir Humayon, the minister concerned, while responding to a question posed by PTI MPA Momna Waheed, told the house that between 2011 and 2017, the then government distributed 414,848 laptops on merit and there had been no case of irregularity in the scheme.

He said the laptops were purchased from the company that gave the lowest bid. Providing the year-wise details of the distribution of laptops, the minister said that in the fiscal year 2011-12, 109,512 laptops were distributed amongst students whereas 99,466 were distributed in 2012-13. Similarly, in 2013-14 and 2016-17, 98,210 and 107,660 laptops were distributed respectively.

To a question whether any official had been arrested over corruption, irregularity, bribery or any other offence in the scheme, the minister said ‘no person had been found involved in any irregularity’ and the laptops were purchased under the Punjab Procurement Rules 2014.

Responding to another question, Humayon admitted shortage of furniture and non-availability of clean drinking water in different colleges. He expressed the resolve to address the problem and take all possible measures.

Responding to a question related to the situation of a girls college in Bhera, District Sargodha, he said water was available in the said college, but it wasn’t fit for drinking due to which, this facility was availed from the nearest water supply. He said the director Colleges Sargodha has been directed to address this issue immediately.

Ghazanfar Abbas Cheena, the PTI MPA from Bhakker, on Tuesday laid a bill calling for increase in the perks and privileges of Punjab Assembly members. No member of the house opposed the bill which is likely to be passed in the ongoing session.

The assembly on its Private Members Day passed various resolutions of public interest. Four resolutions counseling of students in academic institutions, measures to facilitate industrial and agricultural sector, release of funds to save hockey from the downfall and setting up of judicial complex in Bhera were passed unanimously by the house.

The assembly passed a resolution moved by PML-N’s Azma Zahid Bokhari calling for highest military awards for PAF Pilots Squadron Leader Hassan Siddiqi and Nauman Ali for shooting down Indian jets intruding into Pakistan airspace. The resolution was passed after suspension of rules.