KABUL - Divided over a summoning nearly a dozen ministers for under-spending development funds for the outgoing year, the Wolesi Jirga deferred on Wednesday a decision on evolving a proper mechanism.
Earlier in the month, the lower house of parliament decided to summon the 11 cabinet members who could not spend even 50 percent of their development budgets in 2011.

According to the house Budget Commission, the ministries of defense, interior, commerce, economy, counter-narcotics, water and energy, education, urban development, mines, higher education and information failed to use their funds.

On Wednesday, the assembly was to debate the summons mechanism. As different aspects of the move came under discussion lasting three hours, some legislators acknowledged the decision had been taken in haste and should be reviewed.

Under the relevant law, two-thirds of parliamentarians have to vote for reversing the motion. The MPs said members' views should be ascertained before deciding on the summons mechanism and naming the ministers.
By the same token, 20 percent of members had to assign convincing reasons for calling the 11 ministers, but the process was wrapped up when the required number of lawmakers raised green cards.

On the other hand, a number of public representatives suggested the parliamentary panels concerned should take a fresh look at calling the ministers, who had already briefed the house on their accounts.

A Cabinet member, who satisfied the relevant commissions, should be struck off list of those summoned, they proposed. Others said the newly-appointed ministers with no role in budget utilization could also be exempted.
In order to effectively dismiss the impression that the house is hand in gloves with the ministers on issues of national importance, some members stressed the need for initiating the process as soon as possible.

But Deputy Speaker Mohammad Zahir Qadir said the Wolesi Jirga decision on the issue remained valid. "Any minister who claims to have spent a larger part of the budget or that he did not hold the portfolio in 2011, should formally appear the house to inform MPs."

The present ministers of defense, higher education and urban development did not hold the posts last year, with mines, education and interior ministers claiming that they had used more than 50 percent of their development funds in 2011.

Qadir said opponents of the summons should convince two-thirds of the members to reverse the move. He added the session should have focused on the summons mechanism but the MPs took up other issues instead. Now the summon process will be debated on Saturday. (Pajhwok)