According to The News International, Pakistan, Thursday, July 02, 2009,
Rather unexpectedly, the prime minister has announced a doubling in the annual development fund for the 342 members of the National Assembly, raising the amount to Rs20 million for each fiscal year. It is not clear if the benefit will be extended also to the 100 members of the Senate, who, till now, had been on par with the legislators in the lower house. But even if this does not happen, it is quite obvious that there will be a considerable new drain on the exchequer as a result of the decision. Oddly enough, no mention of it had been made in the budget and the prime minister's announcement came as the budget session concluded.
Where from are the funds going to come if the same is not the part of the budget? Aren't our worthy MNAs supposed to legislate in stead of initiating development projects in their constituencies. This has been done to political bribe our MNAs. This will provide them a political clout and also an opportunity for misuse of funds. If the worthy PM thinks that MNAs ar better suited for the local development projects then he should dole out all the funds allocated for local development.
Labels: Development, Governance, Political Bribery
posted @ 12:41 AM,
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The Finance Ministry did not even bother to inform, what to talk of seeking their views, the Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry about the imposition of carbon surcharge on motor gasoline, diesel and other POL products in the new federal budget. This is the standard of coordination at ministerial level. It speaks of the quality of governance and how the decision making is undertaken by our rulers!
Labels: Budget, Development, Economy, Governance, POL Products
posted @ 1:12 PM,
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Government has allocated 50 billion rupees for Benazir Income Support Program; a fund to support the poor families in Pakistan. Rs. 24.3 billion have been allocated for Education. The allocation for Benazir Income Support program is twice that of the funds allocated for Education.
The above speaks of the priorities of the government. I wish the government had instituted Benazir Education Support Program in stead of Benazir Income Support Program. Investment in education will make the people stand on their own feet and earn for themselves. Paying a paltry sum of Rs. 1000.00 to a family per month will hardly alleviate their sufferings and will also make them dependent on this charity.
Labels: Budget, Development, Education, Poverty
posted @ 4:54 PM,
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Our leaders and legislators make a lot of hue and cry about justice, equality and alleviation of poverty. Quite a few of them are feudal lords and industrialists. Can they set a personal example to introduce industrial and land reforms as these will do a lot of good to the poor? It will also do a lot of good to them not only in terms of prolongation of their stay in power but also in terms of their betterment in the life hereafter, if they believe in one.
Labels: Development, Economy, Leadership, Legislators, Poverty, Reforms
posted @ 10:27 AM,
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