LAHORE The Punjab Assembly on Friday found fault in the water filtration plants to be installed in the provincial metropolis, and when PPP and PML-N bartered allegation regarding the provision of funds by the federal government, and alleged misappropriation, the Speaker fixed coming Wednesday to discuss the project in detail. Moreover, the MPAs strongly defended the public right of parking, and raised the issues of illegal parking stands and overcharging by contractors. During the Question Hour on the Local Government and Community Development Department, when Parliamentary Secretary Abdur Razzaq Dhilloon put up a poor show a routine performance of the Treasury and members from both sides of the political grilled him. However, he kept on repeating his 'mantra of replies despite the fact that Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal virtually made to say something different. The Secretary was grilled for giving wrong answers as well. To a query of N-Leagues Nighat Nasir Sheikh, Dhillon replied that so far 59 water filtration plants had been installed, and the project was under way in 40 Union Councils. However, another N-Leaguer Rana Ejaz Ahmed Khan rejected the answer by referring to copy submitted to the House, as per which only 38 plants had been installed. Dont think that we have closed our eyes, he observed. He failed to clarify Ranas pointed out contradiction. However, he immediately jumped on to the bandwagon of 'criticising the federal government, and made the latter responsible for delay in the execution of the project. The Centre has only given Rs 3.8 billion out of Rs 12.2bn, and for the remaining amount, the Punjab has sent repeated reminders to the federal government, he alleged. To rebut this, PPPs Ashraf Sohna rejected Secretarys assertion by maintaining that in the absence of the third party evaluation, the department concerned failed to utilise available funds, which is why remaining money were not provided. Seeing speechless Dhilloon, Minister Law Rana Sanaullah jumped in the fray, and told the House that the project was to be carried with the foreign funds, while the Centre awarded the contracts and outlined its parameters. Fraud worth billions of rupees has been detected since the market cost of the plant is Rs 0.6million, while the contract was awarded for Rs 3m per plant. It was a big scandal, he asserted, while agreeing to Sohnas ideas of constitution of committee and in-house discussion. At this, the Speaker fell short of forming a committee, but fixed Wednesday for discussion. With this, the long discussion came to an abrupt end. To another question, Dhilloon told the House that Rs 10 for a car and Rs 5 for a motorbike were being charged at parking stands in various parts of the city. However, treasurys Khawaja Imran Nazir rejected the reply and mentioned that at district courts and the Lahore High Court, the contractors were charging Rs 20 and Rs 10 for a car and motorbike respectively. Baba Ground near Civil Secretariat is owned by the Punjab Assembly, but it is being used as a parking lot sans permission from the competent authority, he added. Shahzadi Umerzadi also mentioned overcharging at Liberty Market and others parts of the city as well. However, the Secretary avoided further argumentation, and assured the House of strict action against contractors violating the rules. Dhilloon mentioned that FIRs had been registered against several contractors for overcharging. He also failed in giving satisfactory reply to Majida Zaidis question delay in completion of the projects, and consequent lapsing of funds. Later, when Forward Blocs Ch Muhammad Arshad read an Adjournment Motion, the Q-League women started shouting 'Lota, Lota (turncoat), which irked the Chaudhary to such an extent that he used objectionable words.