Benazir Income Support Program ordinance 2009 presented in National Assembly.

ISLAMABAD, November 16, 2009 (Frontier Star): The government presented the ordinance of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) 2009 in the National Assembly on Monday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Babar Awan during the session requested to defer the bill 2009 setting up National Command Authority, on which chairman Riaz Hussain Pirzada deferred it from the agenda and on the other hand, Babar Awan presented the ordinance of BISP 2009. In reply to a call attention notice, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo told the house that there was scarcity of sugar only, and nothing else, adding, the reason of sugar crises is not inefficiency or corruption but dual role and black marketing was being carried out, about which he could not detail. He informed that House that the provinces tried their best to ensure sale of sugar at Rs.40/kg but they also fell victims of dual role, adding, the government has taken several steps for the solution of the crises, including fixing of price with consultations with all stake holders but sugar was being sold at two prices; one at 40/kg in soma areas and at 60/kg in some other areas. The Prime Minister, he said, took serious notice of the issue and issued instructions to his ministry, in the light of which the government has decided to give 7 million tons sugar through utility stores by giving subsidy of Rs.27 per kilogram. In question-hour session, Manzoor Wattoo told the house that about 109 industrial units have been established during the last 8 years, adding, the government was giving special attention on marble industries. "Pakistan has enough reservoirs of marble of international standard, if exported and could earn more than the export of agricultural products", he pointed out, adding, the government was pondering to setup marble city in Karachi and also plans to set up in Mohmand Agency, Risalpur, Islamabad, Guddani, Chitral and Loralai. However, he regretted that the auto industry was not preparing vehicles according to standard, which create problems for the masses. In reply to questions, Education Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani told the house that two new model colleges would be set up in the new financial year and each college could accommodate 1100 students. He said the present government has recruited 308 teachers on contract and 612 foreign scholarships would be issued for MS and M. Phil, adding, competent candidates would be sent to Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany and New Zealand. In reply to question, Tourism Minister Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman told the house that licenses of 10 tours operators were cancelled during the last 3 years on public complaints, adding, there are total 1505 registered tour operators, among which 1472 are Umra tour operators and complaints were received against 60 operators during the last 3 years, on which action was taken and licenses of 10 were cancelled, one suspended, issues with 26 resolved, while negotiations with 23 are in progress.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)