Govt criticized for giving two plots to top bureaucrats as aid begging continues

[Naveed Yaseen]

* MNAs slam plot allocations to officers, want no plots for MNAs, top bureaucrats
* Kundi for committee to probe matter

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The country’s top bureaucrats came under fire in the National Assembly for getting two plots of land upon promotion to the country’s highest cadre of the civil service.

Speaking on a point of order, PPP MNA Nadeem Afzal Chan said, “It is very surprising that on one hand the government is looking for economic aid to run its day-to-day affairs, but every bureaucrat is getting two plots.”

PML-N MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique supported Chan’s point and said neither bureaucrats and parliamentarians should not be allotted plots.

PML-N MNA Rashid Akbar said the bureaucracy was responsible for the crises prevailing in the country. “Instead of allotting plots to these corrupt bureaucrats, they should be allotted to the poor and deserving ones,” he said.

Responding to points of orders, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said it was better to check the government’s policy before taking any decision.

Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi said it was very surprising that MNAs were not being given membership of Islamabad Club, but bureaucrats were getting plots. “You check the government policy. I think we should make a committee on this issue,” he said.

Earlier, responding to NWFP MNAs concerns over Thursday’s blasts in Kohat and Peshawar, Kaira said the Damaged Need Assessment survey had been completed in Swat and Malakand and reconstruction activities would begin soon.

He said a significant portion of the foreign aid, if received, would be spent on war-torn areas. He said the government would not wait for foreign assistance, adding that it had already allocated Rs 50 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the region.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_31