‘Ensure transparency in tendering shops’

Senate sub-panel calls for keeping a closer eye on staff at the complex

A Senate sub-panel on Thursday called for making the process for tendering shops in the Parliament Lodges more transparent, even as it called for improvement in working of staff at the complex with strict monitoring.

A sub-committee of the Senate House Committee was held in the conference hall of the Parliament Lodge’s on Thursday with the committee’s convener Senator Kulsoom Parveen in the chair.

The committee discussed matters pertaining to allegations of corruption against officers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) deployed in the Lodges and vacating shops in the complex.

Senator Parveen pointed to the reservations raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Azam Khan Swati regarding the tendering process for shops in the Lodges. She said that the tender forms should be provided to anyone who asks.



“Those who approach on merit should be given their rights,” she said.

Senator Parveen added that if the CDA has received some instructions from any organisation, then it should be demanded that a written request is filed.

“Transparency should be ensured in these matters,” Senator Parveen directed, adding, that no one should be given favour or relief illegally on the basis of personal like or dislike.

The subcommittee was told that terms of references have been formed regarding tendering of the shops which will soon be provided to the committee.

The committee, after reviewing the TORs, can amend them if they want. However, the tendering process is expected to commence soon.

Senator Parveen and Samina Saeed said that furniture, curtains and other facilities in Parliament Lodges have worn out and have not been replaced for a while.

She pointed out that Senator Kehda Babar has also complained about this several times.

“Provision of better facilities in the lodges is the right of every parliamentarian,” Senator Parveen said.

Cleanliness

The issue of cleanliness in the Parliament Lodges was also discussed with Senator Parveen pointing out that over 90 people had been appointed for the purpose but except for a few, none of these people could be seen. The same situation could be observed with the elevators, she said and demanded that details of the staff appointed to maintain cleanliness in the lodges and to operate the lifts should be provided to the committee.

She also requested to deploy two supervisors for monitoring the cleaning staff at the Lodges and who will be responsible for reporting to their superiors.

The subcommittee noted that no one should be suspended from the job, however, it should be ensured that workers are fulfilling their assigned duties.

Poor security

The sub-committee also expressed concern over petrol being syphoned from motorbikes parked in front of the Lodges and helmets being stolen.

Senator Parveen directed CDA officials to write a letter to the DSP deployed in the Parliament Lodges reminding the officer of their duty to protect vehicles and motorbikes of people.



Corruption allegations

The committee’s convener said that funds for building an additional block of the lodges were provided in 2012 when the exchange rate for the US dollar was Rs60.

Now, this rate had more than doubled to Rs136 to a dollar but blocks have yet to be built.

Muhammad Rafiq told the committee that all allegations against him were baseless since he had no connection with the tendering process and that he was just a financial advisor. However, he said that they review the tendering process if asked.

Senator Parveen directed the Parliament Lodges Services director general to look into the matter. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2018.