News
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
SC bars govt from releasing new development funds* Issues notice to SSGC, SNGPL, PEPCO asking them to submit reports whether projects executed transparently, according to rules
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has stopped the caretaker government from releasing new development funds because it may influence the election process.
The court observed that only elected representatives should disburse development funds, therefore the caretaker government should not grant any amount until May 11. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Tuesday directed finance secretary to tell the court whether PPRA rules were followed during the distribution of nearly Rs 42 billion PWP-II fund among parliamentarians and others.
It is to be noted that the court has taken suo motu notice over a news report of Daily Times that former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf doled out billions of rupees in the form of development funds ten days after having completed his tenure in office. The court has asked the finance secretary to explain whether People’s Works Development Programme-II (PWP) funds could be distributed among the notables and members provincial assemblies.
The court also issued notice to managing directors (MDs) of SSGC and SNGPL and PEPCO asking them to submit reports on whether the projects had been executed in a transparent manner and according to the rules and regulations. It also inquired about the status of these development schemes after the release of Rs 42 billion PWP-II fund. During the hearing, the court was told that Rs 30 billion funds which were allocated to WAPDA, Lowari Tunnel, Higher Education Commission (HEC), etc, had been diverted without the consent of these departments.
The court also asked the Finance Ministry if the allocation of fund for development schemes after March 10 by the PPP-led government was not the violation of Election Commission of Pakistan’s January 21 order. Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue (AGPR) representative Tahir Mahmood told the bench that a substantial amount of Rs 22 billion was allocated for the PWDP-II in the current fiscal budget, and that the amount was increased to Rs 52 billion by diverting Rs 30 billion from other running projects.
He submitted that out of Rs 47 billion PWP II fund, around Rs 42 billion had already been released to different departments, and Rs 5 billion had been stopped by the Cabinet Division. Finance Secretary Waqar Masood submitted a report in pursuance of the court order. However, the bench directed him to place a report before the bench during the next hearing in response to the court’s several queries.
The chief justice asked what was the mechanism in the ministry to ensure that funds allocated for the project would be utilised for the same project. He also asked the secretary whether the incumbent prime minister had also approved development funds. Upon this, Waqar Masood said that the premier wanted to assist the flood victims in Balochistan. Objecting to prime minister’s initiative to help the flood-hit people in Balochistan, the chief justice observed that this could create a wrong impression during the elections and will also be a violation of ECP’s order. The hearing of the case has been adjourned until May 6.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk