A cold war is going on between the Punjab government and its governor as the latter has refused to sign four bills approved by the provincial assembly after raising objections.
Reportedly, Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman declined to sign four bills which were passed by the Punjab Assembly.
He returned these bills to the Punjab Assembly along with his objections. The governor used his powers under Article 116 of the Constitution and sent these bills back to the assembly suggesting the government to make amendments to these legislative proposals in the best interest of public.
The bills which have been returned by Governor Rehman include: Punjab Ministers’ Salaries, Allowances & Privileges Act 2022, Punjab Ehsas Programme Bill 2022, Punjab Local Government Bill 2021 and Urdu Language Act.
The Punjab Local Government Act, 2021 was sent back for the second time after raising objections.
The governor suggested that in Punjab Ehsas Programme Act, the Ehsas Council member be equivalent to the rank of additional secretary.
The governor pointed out that the government’s poverty elimination and social security bill is new but the government has not specified whether funds will be collected from the finance department or not.
The governor further noted that the Local Government Bill, 2021 was not an original bill as the Punjab Assembly only made amendments to its sections 10 and 187.
Since it’s an amended bill, it would be considered as a bill passed again by the Punjab Assembly on Oct 19 and the Governor Secretariat was intimated about it on Oct 20.
The governor rejected the Punjab Ministers’ Salaries, Allowances and Privileges (Amend) Bill, 2022 saying that it would incur burden on the financial kitty.
He said that under the Ministers’ Salaries Act, the provincial ministers have got services of two Elite squads at their disposal which is unnecessary.
According to this act, free medical facilities would be provided to former Punjab chief minister and his family. The governor suggested to the Punjab government to review its decision to provide financial facilities to its ministers.—NNI
