Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved amendment in the Staff Car Rules 1980, as observed by the Public Accounts Committee in its meeting held on May 15.
Under the amendment a proviso has been inserted under rule 24 (2) (A) of the Staff Car Rules, 1980 which reads "provided that the protected vehicle shall be allocated to a vulnerable dignitary subject to availability and approval of the Prime Minister. However, the repair/maintenance and POL of the vehicle shall be the responsibility of the respective Ministry/Division/Department or the dignitary concerned".
It may be mentioned that the PAC observed that the rules on the subject do not have any provision for allocation of the protected vehicles to any office holder/dignitary. The PAC directed that relevant rules might be modified for regularisation of the matter or bullet-proof vehicle allocated should be taken back within one month period.
In view of the current security environment prevailing in the country, the retrieval of the vehicle from the dignitaries would not be a viable option. Therefore, on summary by the Cabinet Division, the Prime Minister approved the above insertion of proviso in the Staff Car Rules, 1980.-PR