Staff Reporter
National Assembly Committee on House and Library Wednesday expressed its displeasure on the performance of Capital Development Authority (CDA) in the Parliament House and Lodges and directed for conducting a comprehensive survey for accessing maintenance and roof water proofing requirements.
The committee also directed for ensuring conducive environment through provision of natural light and fresh air in the Parliament House building.
The committee further directed for sending samples of water from the Parliament House, Lodges and Government Hostel for laboratory examination.
The committee met under the chairmanship of National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri in the Parliament House.
The members of the committee pointed out that substantial budgetary allocation was provided to the CDA out of which most of the funds were spent on salaries of the CDA employees leaving a meager amount for maintenance work.
They also pointed out that reportedly a considerable amount was spent on water proofing of roofs of the Parliament House and Lodges but the water seepage was observed during the current spell of rain.
The committee also directed for a comprehensive survey of the maintenance requirements at the Parliament Lodges and submit its report in the next meeting of the committee.
The committee also asked the CDA to take appropriate measures for the provision of fresh air and natural light in the Parliament House.
The committee while discussing health and security arrangements in the Parliament Lodges, recommended for grant of special permission to the CDA for the purchase of ambulance.
The committee was apprised that a dedicated ambulance could not be provided for the Parliament Lodges Dispensary due to ban imposed by the cabinet on the purchase of vehicles.
The deputy speaker directed National Assembly Secretariat to convey the recommendation of the committee to the Cabinet Division to lift the ban on purchase of ambulances.
The committee was of the view that a large number of parliamentarians were residing in Parliament Lodges and the ambulance should be present there to cope with any emergency.
The committee also directed the CDA to provide space for establishment of a Utility Store at the Parliament Lodges at the earliest.
The committee further directed to ensure periodical maintenance of water filtration plants installed there.
The committee also asked the CDA to make arrangements for installation of telephone exchange and establishment of dispensary at the Government Hostel.
The committee later discussed the issues related to the National Assembly Employees Cooperative Housing Society.
