The Sindh government has drafted the Sindh COVID-19 Emergency Relief Bill 2020 in order to reduce the challenges faced by the public due to the lockdown in the province.
The provincial law department will forward it to the Governor House, where if approved, it will become an ordinance. It will come into effect from April 1. The Sindh government has asked for Governor Imran Ismail’s approval under Clause 1 of Article 128 of the Constitution which grants the governor the authority to approve an ordinance if the provincial assembly is not in session. Following are the reliefs that the ordinance proposes: No educational institution will charge more than 80% of the total monthly fees. No organisation will be allowed to fire any employee. For electricity bill payment: Monthly consumption of electricity, Suspension of bill,1-260 units, No bill payment, 261-350 units, 25% of the bill, 351-450 units, 50% of the bill, Above 450 units, 100% of the bill.
For monthly consumption of water of houses: Monthly consumption of water Suspension of bill, House up to 80 sq. yards No bill payment, 81-160 sq. yards 25% of the bill, 161-240 sq. yards, 50% of the bill, Above 240 sq. yards, 100% of the bill.
For monthly consumption of water of houses: Monthly consumption of water Suspension of bill, Flat up to 800 sq. yards, No bill payment, 800-1000 sq. yards, 25% of the bill, 1000-1200 sq. yards, 50% of the bill, Above 1200 sq. yards, 100% of the bill, For monthly gas consumption: Monthly consumption of gas, Suspension of bill, Up to 155 units (m3), No bill payment, Up to 200 units (m3), 25% of the bill, Up to 300 units (m3), 50% of the bill, Above 300 units (m3), 100% of the bill, For monthly rent payment: Rent amount, Suspension of rent, Up to Rs50,000, No rent payment. Up to Rs100,000, 50% of the bill, Above Rs100,000, 100% of the bill.
MurtazaWahab has, however, clarified that rent payments are not pardoned, but postponed, meaning the tenants can pay the monthly rent of these months later on. He added that the ordinance will provide a huge relief to the public if approved.
