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Escape channel of Rainee Canal : PAC directs ministry to complete enquiry in two months
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Water and Power to complete its enquiry on irregular inclusion of work of escape channel in contract RC-5A (Rainee Canal Project), which cost the government Rs 846.25 million against the PC-1 cost of Rs 38.413 million.
The PAC was of the view that this is not a variation in the original project rather complete a new scheme was initiated and it was awarded to existing contractor without going in to direct bidding process. This is totally against PPRs, 2004, which resulted in irregular expenditures of Rs846.25 million, the audit officials told the PAC. The committee expressed displeasures when secretary ministry of water and power after long discussion informed the committee that an enquiry already done against this project and its final conclusion will be completed soon.
Chairman Wapda Syed Raghib told the committee due to this project completion several areas were secured from flood 2011. He termed the increase in cost of the project is the variation of work scope, which was done as per rule of law. He pleaded that there was only one potential contractor (Ramzan), who completed the scheme in difficult areas. Secretary ministry of water and power Saif Ullah Chattha assured the committee to present the enquiry report after one month.
Through another audit para, chairman Wapda assured the PAC that proper enquiry will be made over the shortage in stores of Tabela Power Station worth Rs8.063 million. The responsible persons will be identified and also find out the ways of recovery from the culprits within two months. The PAC also directed the ministry of water and power to take up the land dispute between Wapda and Army, which cost Rs160.036 billion within three months and submit the report.
The government of Pakistan acquired certain land in the 1950s in villages of Sultanpur and Baral Etc Tehsil Jehlum, Jari and Sehns etc Tehsil Mirpur (AJK) in connection with construction of Mangla Dam. After completion of the dam in 1967, Pakistan Army desired to purchase Wapda buildings at Mangla which were surplus of Wapda’s requirement. Pakistan Army paid an amount of Rs312 million, which was the depreciated cost of the building and no payment was made on account of cost of 3368 kanals land on which the buildings were constructed.
In addition Army took over 10132 kanals land adjacent to the building in 1969 and 2928 kanals land in 1983 un-authorized. As per summary of the claim o Wapda against Pak Army as on June 30, 2011, the amount of Rs160.036 billion was outstanding for recover from Army on account of cost of land, rental charges of land, charges of water supply etc. On other hand, ministry of defence declared Manga as Cantonment and included Wapda properties in its jurisdiction, revealed written document provided in the PAC. The PAC was of the view that as one minister covering both water and power and also defence, so he may be resolved the matter amicably. The committee settled several audit paras subject to verification by audit officials.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk