KARACHI: Sindh Emergency Relief Bill 2020 has been drafted by the Sindh government with the objective to minimize the difficulties faced by the citizens due to the imposition of lockdown.
According to the sources, the bill would be presented to Governor Imran Ismail for approval to issue ordinance under the clause 1 of Article 128 that give authority to governors general to make ordinance during the absence of provincial Assembly’s sessions.
According to the draft, companies would not be allowed to fire their employees and educational institutes may not be able to charge more than 80 percent of the school fee.
The draft says, citizens would not need to pay bill who use less than 260 units of electricity, while they will be charged to pay 25 pc of the total bill if they would 260 to 350 units, 50 pc if they would use 350 to 450 units and 100 pc if the would use more than 450 units.
Similarly, the bill is aimed at reducing the amount of utility bills of gas and water. Citizens may not be charged if 155 units of the gas will be used, 25 pc on utilization of 200 units, 50 pc on 300 units and 100 pc on more than 300 units.
Moreover, tenants would not be required to pay rent if it is less than or up to Rs 50,000 or they may pay 50 pc of the actual rent if necessary, and 100 pc if it is up to Rs 100,000 or above.
The spokesperson to Sindh government Murtaza Wahab explained that the reminding amounts are not waived off but can be paid later when situation normalizes.