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MNAs unhappy with increased taxes

Posted on: Sat June 12, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Members of the National Assembly on Friday expressed their dissatisfaction over the imposition of increased taxes and allocation for energy and education, describing both the sectors linked with the deteriorating poverty and crises pervading the country for years.

The House resumed discussion on the annual budget for fiscal year 2010-11 on the fourth day in which members from both sides of the aisle demanded of the government to relieve the people from the burden of taxes as it in no way can reduce inflation or poverty, rather it would have adverse effects on the national economy.

Resuming the budget discussion, Rana Ishaq said consultation with lawmakers was a must prior to the presentation of budget to make people-friendly and that besides salary increase and allocation for Benazir Income Support Programme, no other relief measure was found in the budget.

He said agriculture, education, health and employment had been ignored in the budget despite knowing that 40 per cent of our economy was based on agriculture sector for which only Rs40 billion had been allocated.

He said allocation of Rs131 billion for energy sector was meagre amidst the severe energy crises and added that construction of the Kalabagh Dam was inevitable to steer the country out of the power crisis.

He said if not privatised, the government should lease out the public sector entities like Railways, PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills, suggesting withdrawal of duties on deep freezers and increase of minimum salary to Rs 10,000.

Akram Maseeh Gill said the minorities had been ignored in the budget and was of the view that the country had witnessed 300 per cent inflation during the last few years. He said a meagre amount of Rs150.6 million had been allocated for minorities welfare that was insufficient to fulfil their needs.

Courtesy : The News