Misuse of emergency funds: Senate body snubs Communication Ministry, NHA officials

A parliamentary panel on Wednesday snubbed officials of Ministry of Communication and National Highways Authority (NHA) for misusing emergency funds earmarked for reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-wreaked areas. The committee urged the government to release emergency funds for the specified projects and recommended to put a ban on use of emergency funds for other than the specific projects.
The meeting of the sub-committee of Senate's Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas was held here, with convenor Senator Nisar Muhammad Khan in the chair. The committee observed that about Rs 13 billion out of the total Rs 15 billion allocated for the uplift of flood-devastated areas were spent during the past four years on construction of safety bridges and roads.
Member NHA Saqlain, while briefing the committee on the dilapidated condition of Dera Ismail Khan Road, said that due to the narrowness of the road hundreds of people lost their lives, besides destroying hundreds of vehicles; hence the committee must recommend the government to approve Rs 1 billion grant for the expansion of DI Khan road so that precious human lives could be saved in the future.
The committee members said that NHA General Manager was approving different projects with blind eyes, adding that the people involved in misusing their authorities should be brought to book. The committee asked the relevant officials to make sure spending of emergency funds on the specified projects, adding that the government released the funds for welfare of people, but "black sheep" sitting in department misused the public money.
The Committee Convenor Senator Nisar Muhammad Khan said emergency fund was misused in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and payments were made on fake documents. Senator Khalida Parveen said NHA should improve its functioning and complete the projects in the given time period.
The NHA officials said all corrupt elements would be held accountable and strict action would be initiated against those who looted the public money. The committee was informed that in emergency situation, NHA general manger was authorised to give approval of up to Rs 2 million and NHA member can approve up to Rs 50 million, whereas NHA chairman has the authority to approve up to Rs 100 million.