Misuse of government vehicles: PAC panel tells CADD to recover amount from former ministers

A parliamentary committee Wednesday directed the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) to investigate and recover the amount from a former federal health minister and a state minister for misuse of government vehicles. A sub-committee meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was held under chairmanship of Rana Afzaal Hussain which examined the audit reports of CADD.
The committee was apprised that four government vehicles had remained under use of a federal health minister and state minister in violation of rules during July 2005 to June 2007. Audit officials stated that department contended that these vehicles were used during field surveys for health. They disclosed that Naseer Khan was federal minister for health and Ahmed Yar Hiraj was state minister. At that point Vice Chancellor PIMS claimed that Rs 31,000 is recoverable from them. The committee directed to re-estimate the recoverable amount. It further directed the CADD management to frame a policy to discourage the practice of misuse of vehicles.
The committee also directed to hold any inquiry for finding out why deputy controller failed to receive Rs 50 million imposed as fine to various hotels in Lahore. The officials contended that the matter was transferred to provinces and they were writing letters to district administration to pursue the cases. The committee was further informed that the government failed to use vehicles donated by Iranian government during earthquake. The cabinet did not receive the vehicles. At present, one vehicle has been converted into a mobile hospital and others into ambulances.
Audit officials said that management of special education wasted Rs 1 million on a low quality drama in 1990. The objectives were not achieved as PTV refused to telecast it. Management replied that they are in contact with other private channels for the telecast of the drama. In another case Rs 1.7 million had been wasted on preparation of talking box for blind children in 1991. In yet another case, a former director Ali Akbar Kalhoro took away furniture and luxury items worth Rs 1.9 million which was purchased for special children. Only Rs 500,000 was recovered from him. Mian Abdul Mannan directed to purse the recovery vigorously.