News
Thursday, May 20, 2010
PAC dismayed over violation of PPRA rules* Committee expresses concern over alleged embezzlements, corruption in telecommunication sector
By Zeeshan Javaid
ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed all ministries and government departments, including the Ministry of Defence to strictly adhere to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules while purchasing or shifting public assets to private firms or organisations.
The PAC expressed serious concern over the financial embezzlements by Pakistan Steel Mills officials who were drawing house rent from the mills while residing in official residences.
The PAC sought a detailed report on all such officers.
The PAC, which met under the chairmanship of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, reviewed objections on audit report of the Public Sector Enterprises 2008-09 of the Ministry of Information, Technology and Telecommunication. The committee also directed the Higher Education Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the management board of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) to explain in the next meeting why NTC’s infrastructure had been shifted to the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited.
Notice: The PAC also expressed concern over the alleged embezzlements and corruption in the telecommunication sector and ordered the ministry concerned to take effective steps to ensure a transparent functioning of its attached departments.
Audit officers briefed the committee that the NTC management created six additional posts of BPS-20 in violation of the sanctioned strength of three BPS-20 posts. The PAC then directed the ministry to explain the reasons for the move within two months.
The committee was also informed that Pakistan Education Research Network (PERN) equipment worth Rs 298 million was shifted to PTCL in an unauthorised manner, and PTCL was generating revenue by utilising the equipment, while the NTC bore the maintenance expenditure.
The committee also took serious notice of payment of Rs 8.987 million on account of cash reward/bonus to employees by the corporations, autonomous/semi autonomous bodies.
The PAC directed that payment of cash awards without following procedures should be stopped immediately. The committee was informed that NTC either did not deduct or deducted rent less than the normal 5 percent from occupants of government accommodations, and Rs 1.868 million were recoverable in this regard for the year 2007-08.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk