ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Monday referred the case of irregular expenditure of Rs85.71 million to purchase imported vehicles to the National Accountability Bureau.
The PAC’s sub-committee directed the Planning and Development Division Secretary to refer the case to the NAB for an inquiry within 15 days and the Bureau to submit report to the PAC within three months.
The meeting of the Sub-Committee was held under the chairmanship of Ashiq Hussain Gopang at Parliament House and reviewed the audit paras of Planning and Development Division and Ministry of Kashmir Affairs for the fiscal year of 2007-8.
During the meeting, Director General Audit informed the committee that the National Logistic Cell imported 86 vehicles which include six Land Cruisers, 38 Double Cabin Toyota and 42 Single Cabin Toyota) during 2006-07, out of Government of Punjab Funds, placed at the disposal of NLC for Education and Health Sectors and Reforms Projects. Audit found the expenditure of Rs 85.71 million incurred on the import of foreign vehicles was incurred irregular, he added.
Ashiq Hussain observed displeasure and remarked that the case had been referred to NAB in 2012 but it seems that the department was not complying on directives of the PAC.
To this, General Manager Procurement of NLC apprised the committee that the department had requirement of more than 120 vehicles and that was the reason to import. Ashiq Hussain, observed that vehicles were imported in violation of prescribed rules and regulations added that the committee had no reservation on import but rules should be followed.
