ISLAMABAD: The fate of a bill that gave phenomenal raises to the salaries, perks and privileges of the members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs), provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants and parliamentary secretaries hangs in balance.The Punjab government seems indecisive and finds itself between a rock and a hard place to do anything about it. It became clear from conversations with two political figures of the provincial administration that the bill has not so far been assented by the governor.In a one-line comment, Punjab government spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill told The News that the provincial law department is looking into the bill. He was asked about its fate. A Punjab minister told this correspondent on condition of anonymity that deliberations were going on to decide the final fate of the bill. “The bill was resent to the governor for assent, and he was required to approve or return it to the Punjab assembly for reconsideration within the constitutionally prescribed ten days.”The minister said that it has to be kept in mind that since the bill was unanimously passed by the provincial assembly, it has to go back to the legislature again for approving or repealing it. “Only the legislature is competent to do anything about it.”He said that it was clear to everyone including the governor that Prime Minister Imran Khan disapproved the increase in the salaries and perks and privileges, and wanted their reversal. It transpired from his comments that the Punjab government is conscious of the reaction of the MPAs, who passed the bill because they wantedsignificant increase in their salaries and perks and privileges to bring them at least at par with those of their counterparts in other provincial assemblies.The five movers of the bill belonged to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party. They had tabled it in the assembly as a private members’ bill that was owned by the treasury and opposition alike, which was evident from its unanimous passage within minutes without any debate.Approval of the bill caused paramount embarrassment to the ruling coalition and ignited a strong public umbrage from all and sundry specifically from the prime minister, who made his indignation public through his tweets. He especially summoned Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to Islamabad to express his consternation. After that, the Punjab government found itself in a tailspin.On the very day, March 13, the bill was passed by the provincial assembly, it was transmitted to Governor Chaudhry Sarwar for assent. However, he was quickly stopped by the prime minister to refuse assent, and he publicly announced that he would not approve it as he has directions from Imran Khan to the effect.Later, Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi amended the bill by slashing the salaries and some other benefits that have been made available to Usman Buzdar and him. Nothing was officially heard after that. But it was believed that the proposed legislation has been transmitted to the governor.Under Article 116 of the Constitution, when a bill is presented to the governor for assent, he shall, within ten days, assent to it or in the case of a bill other than a Money Bill, return it to the provincial assembly with a message requesting that it, or any of its specified provision, be reconsidered. When the governor has thus returned the bill, it will be reconsidered by the assembly and, if it is again passed, with or without amendment by the votes of the majority of MPAs present and voting, it will be again presented to the governor, who shall give his assent within ten days failing which such assent shall be deemed to have been given.The provision makes it clear that the governor has the power to return a bill only once but when it is passed by the assembly again, accepting or rejecting his suggested amendments, he has no power to do anything with it and the bill will automatically become an act after ten days. Under this article, he can’t withhold his assent beyond ten days.According to the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab when a bill is assented or is deemed to have been assented to by the governor, the Secretary will immediately cause it to be published in the official Gazette as an act of the assembly.Rule 113 says when a bill is returned by the governor with a message requesting that it, or any of its specified provision, be reconsidered or that any of its amendment be considered, the secretary will circulate the message to the MPAs and will also send an intimation to that effect to the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and to the Minister-in-charge, who may give notice of motions in respect of the bill returned in the specified manner. No such thing has so far happened.The rule further says that a different procedure will be adopted when the governor’s message pertains generally to the whole bill and no specific amendment has been proposed.
from The News International - National https://ift.tt/2TEzUCr
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