The auditors have unearthed serious cases of embezzlement, misappropriation, misuse of authority, loss of machinery and equipment worth Rs 15.500 million, but the officials involved are being protected by the higher authorities, while a woman bureaucrat, who made these audit objections was transferred, sources in the Controller General of Accounts revealed on Tuesday.
When Director General of MIS, Naghmana Ashfaq Sheikh brought the case to the notice of higher authorities, she was transferred and was forced to hand over the charge, well placed sources told Business Recorder. Naghmana, was transferred after serving only five months as chief of Directorate General (MIS), which is under the administrative control of Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
The reason behind this shocking removal was that the former Director General reported financial and administrative irregularities of several hundred millions, including misuse of financial authority, missing stocks and fraudulent withdrawal of government funds, allegedly by the accounts officers of her department, sources added.
It was also learnt that the audit reports of 2007-08 and 2006-07 have also unearthed huge losses and corrupt practices by the accounts officers, who were occupying the posts since long with the backing of higher ups of the CGA office.
A senior officer, posted as Deputy CGA, was also found guilty of misusing the financial authority of Director General of MIS and releasing budget of millions without the permission of the competent authority. It is pertinent to note that the Director General of MIS, being head of the independent field office and sanctioning authority, was not consulted while the budget was released despite her bringing all the facts to the knowledge of the CGA, who is also Principal Accounts Officer.
It was also learnt that two cash books were being maintained by the department illegally, but expenditure of several million rupees was not accounted for in the cash books; sensing disciplinary action, the responsible corrupt officials started creating hindrances.
The CGA, after examining all facts pertaining to malpractice, ordered an inquiry into the case, which suggested that disciplinary action should be initiated against the two accounts officers, Arshad and Khalid. But the Deputy CGA came to their rescue and is making all-out efforts to bail these officials out, however, no action has been taken against them so far.
Naghmana Sheikh as Director General of MIS tried her level best to bring financial discipline in the organisation and its attached offices through a well thought out monitoring system, but she was shown the door. The CGA, appreciating her excellent performance, recommended her for an honorarium, which was not paid to her. On the other hand, the government awarded her integrity for reducing corruption and improving the AGPR's performance by relieving her of her charge.
When contacted CGA Mohsin Khan was not available for comments, while Deputy CGA S M Arif declined to talk on the matter. Another officer, on condition of anonymity, told this scribe that strict order had been issued to the staff not to comment on the matter.
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