PAC body wants DAC to manage audit paras under Rs5m

Convener Hussain gives 15 days to power secretary to solve the matter

ISLAMABAD: The sub committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has advised the Power Division to allow the Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) to manage audit paras of less than Rs5 million.

The development took place during a meeting of the PAC sub-committee held at the Parliament House on Friday. The meeting was chaired by Convener Rana Tanveer Hussain.

The meeting reviewed the Ministry of Power’s 1999 and 2000 audit objections. Convener Hussain said there were some reservations over the performance of the power ministry.

“Are all the heads of Discos present during the meeting,” asked Hussain.

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Power Secretary Irfan Ali replied, “All the heads of Discos were not invited. It is necessary for some people to remain in the field due to Ramazan and the weather.”

Hussain directed to ensure the attendance of the heads of Discos.

Raising objection, the power secretary said, “The meetings of the PAC sub committees are being held every day. Rana Sahib, if you are becoming the PAC chairman, kindly shed some light on this.”

Hussain said the decision to form the sub committees was taken after the government raised objections. “It is the government’s understanding that the audit objections raised during the tenure of the PML-N government be reviewed. This concept does not exist anywhere in the world. In the past, there is not a single example of seven PAC sub committees. The ministers do not have anything to do with the PAC audit objections. Despite this fact, the government has reservations, which have to be brought to the fore.”

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The committee also discussed the independent power producers’ (IPPs) issue of lesser purchases on higher rates.

Former prime minister and MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said, “IPPs were brought in in an emergency situation. The agreements made with them have to be met. The matter of Karke is in front of everyone.”

Hussain said, “One cannot raise audit objection over government policy. Audit objections can be raised over illegal payments only.”

The power secretary said the government was the sole client of the IPPs. “Even if they are non-operational, we have to pay for their full capacity.”

An objection was raised that a loss of Rs290.24 million was incurred in a bid to improve distribution load management through the rail system.

The power secretary said, “Different inquiries are under way.”

Pervaiz Ashraf said, “This is a two-decade-old plan, which is appearing in PAC. It should be solved in DAC.”

The power secretary raised an objection, saying even if the matter was resolved in DAC, it would still go to PAC. “The issues that have been resolved in DAC should not go to PAC.”

The convener said to solve the matter within 15 days and submit a report.