ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Thursday recommended that two ambulances should be provided at Parliament Lodges.

A meeting of the Senate House Committee, held at Parliament Lodges under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla, was told that Polyclinic had requested the cabinet division many times for the provision of funds and permission for purchasing two ambulances for Parliament House and Lodges Dispensary. However, it has not received any response.

The committee directed that a letter be written to the secretary cabinet for approval in the next cabinet meeting.

Discussing issues pertaining to the maintenance grant of Parliament House and the lodges, the meeting was told that Rs194 million were allocated for the maintenance of the lodges and hostels but the federal government released the money on a quarterly basis.

The committee was informed that the reason for the impediments was the non-release payments or delays in payments.

The committee recommended the matter be taken up with the Finance Division.

Regarding the hike in the electricity bill of Parliament Lodges, a representative of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company said the bills were examined and that the arrears were included in the bill.

A Capital Development Authority (CDA) director said the extra amount reflected the bills not paid by previous lodge occupants. The committee recommended that in addition to other measures, the electricity metres installed at the lodges should also be checked for faults.

The meeting was told that the PC-II worth Rs117.15 million had been submitted to the interior ministry for the refurbishment of the lodges.

The committee was told that the amount was only for hiring a consultant and did not include the complete project costs.

The committee asked the CDA to carry on with the process of routing the PC-II through the concerned ministries and divisions and also decided to defer the agenda till the next meeting to which the finance secretary, interior secretary, CDA chairman, and Nespak MD will be invited. Staff Reporter