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Development framework shelved.

AFTER a heated debate in the National Assembly yesterday the government withdrew in the last minute the Framework for the second five-year development plan 2016/17-2020/2021 due to technicality slip-ups.

Finance and Planning Minister Dr Philip Mpango made the withdrawal following the directive by Presiding Chairperson, Mr Andrew Chenge, few minutes after the august House had resumed its evening session.
At the heart of the matter, according to Mr Chenge, were a number of technical faults which led to the tabling of the motion contrary to the Standing Orders.
The former Attorney General and seasoned lawyer stressed however that the technical mix-up did not in any way violate the constitution of the land as claimed by some lawmakers from the opposition.
“The government should have brought before the House a sketch of the plan for legislators to put their contributions after which the final version is presented before them. I now advice the government to come up with the draft.
“It should as well be understood that the annual and five-year development plans are usually presented to MPs in a seminar and not full house session.
This is usually done in March before the budget framework,” he explained. Mr Chenge noted further that even if the assembly was to discuss the draft plan it should have done so as the House Planning Committee rather than Full House Session.
“On the other hand, we were required to suspend some Standing Orders to accommodate the time change since the plans are required to be debated during the October/November session,” he explained.
Earlier in the morning session, the government came under fire from opposition for presenting the frame work rather than the second five-year development plan for 2016/17 to 2020/21 as required by Standing Orders of the assembly and the Constitution of the land.
Mr Chenge was forced to prematurely adjourn the morning meeting at 12:23 for more consultations after a number of legislators from the opposition sought the guidance of the chair in regard to the matter.
The move by the opposition MPs followed the tabling and presentation of the framework in the august House by the Finance Minister, outlining government’s priorities for the next five years. Shorty after the minister’s presentation, a number of opposition legislators stood up, seeking the guidance of the chair. Kigoma Urban MP Zitto Kabwe (ACT-Maendeleo) charged that it was improper for the House to entertain the framework rather than the plan.
His sentiments were echoed by the Opposition Chief Whip, Mr Tundu Lissu (Singida East-Chadema), who cited Section 63 (3) (c) of the constitution which requires the National Assembly to discuss both long and short term development projects to be presented by the government.
The Standing Orders of the assembly as well requires annual development plans to be debated during the October/ November meetings. “What the minister has presented before us is not the plan but just a framework and this is contrary to the Standing Orders and the constitution,” Mr Lissu charged.
After the MPs made their arguments, Mr Chenge said he would think over them and issue a ruling at a later stage. He went on to call the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Budget, Ms Hawa Ghasia (Mtwara Rural-CCM), to present the views of the committee.
As Ms Ghasia was presenting the report of the committee, some MPs from the opposition were seen moving around consulting with each other and the same was happening for cabinet ministers.
When it was time for the opposition to present its views Mr Chenge called in Mr David Silinde (Momba-Chadema) who took to the podium but would not present the report which had been tabled earlier by the camp.
“We came here to discuss the plan but what is before us is a draft. The opposition camp will not present its views unless the government makes changes on the document,” Mr Silinde said as he left the podium.
Mr Chenge for his part wondered as to why the opposition was not ready to present a report it had earlier tabled as required by the Standing Orders.
At this juncture, Mr Chenge decided to adjourn the session for consultations until the evening meeting where he made the directive to the Minister to withdraw the motion to which he did straight away.
DailyNewz

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