FAISALABAD, Jan 20: The ruling group in the Tehsil Municipal Administration (city) failed to get approval of imposition of parking fee as a majority of members rejected it.

TMA convener Ilyas Ansari tabled a resolution before the house on Tuesday for award of contracts for collection of parking fee in four main city bazaars.

As soon as the resolution was tabled, over a dozen members stood up and started speaking loudly without seeking permission from the convener. The pandemonium continued for about 15 minutes as the convener was seen helpless in controlling the infuriated members.

Members from opposition and treasury benches were seen quarrelling with each other. The opposition said there was no justification for the fee. They claimed that contracts for Aminpur, Chiniot, Karkhana and Rail bazaars were being given for Rs338,000 despite the fact that last year the contract for only Kutchery Bazaar had been awarded for Rs1.2 million.

They alleged that the TMA management was receiving parking fee from different parts of the city without following procedure. They criticized the TMA for converting the city into a big parking area. Treasury members claimed that the TMA was authorized to award contracts for parking and other taxes.

They said former DPO Zafar Abbas Lak had awarded a contract for collection of parking fee from the Kutchery Bazaar in violation of rules. Traders accepted it fearing the DPO but now they were raising their voice against the imposition of parking fee in other city bazaars, they added.

After a heated debate on the resolution, the convener put it to vote. Only a dozen of 150 members present in the session favoured imposition of parking fee. However, the house approved the slaughter house contract for Rs4,610,932 with a heavy majority.

Released: Former PML-N MNA Mian Abdul Mannan and his son, Mian Mohammad Irfan, were released from the local District Jail on Tuesday.