PAC panel seeks details of big defaulters from SNGPL

Recommends HEC to conduct an inquiry into irregularity in the purchase of 80 Kanal land by Federal Urdu University


​ Our Correspondent August 30, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) sub-committee has sought details of industrial and commercial defaulters of over Rs10 million from the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman at the Parliament House on Thursday.

The SNGPL has been directed to submit all details of industrial and commercial consumers who have not paid their bills.

The subcommittee also discussed the matter regarding the purchase of 80 Kanal land costing Rs50.25 million at Moza Moharian Islamabad by the Federal Urdu University; however, the land was not handed over to the university.

The audit officials apprised the sub-committee members that the land lacked road infrastructure, map and neither was the No Objection Certificate obtained from the Capital Development Authority.

When the officials stated that an unapproved layout plan was presented for the land, Urdu University Vice-Chancellor Dr Syed Altaf Hussain said that the university was autonomous, while the syndicate and the Senate had approved the purchase of the land.

The audit officials said the summary for purchasing the land was sent to the cabinet twice. Though it declined the summary, the land was procured, they added.

CDA director planning said the authority had approved the purchase of 80 Kanal land for the Urdu university.

“By looking at the documents for the purchase of the land for the university, we found out that the revenue record was incorrect. Eleven Kanal land was on the name of the owner, while nine Kanal on somebody else’s name. Road infrastructure was also not available. The university has had its documents cleared and submitted them. The matter is headed towards being resolved.”

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said, “Let the university work so that the students do not have to face any difficulties.”

On this, Senator Rehman said, “An inquiry will be conducted against the person who purchased the land.”

The committee recommended that the Higher Education Commission conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 60 days.
The audit officials said that Petroleum Division’s audit paras of Rs124 billion had been settled, while Rs7.48 billion had been recovered.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction, observing that the recovered amount was too insignificant as compared to the total amount.

The committee sought a detailed report on the settled paras.

The PAC sub-committee also discussed the issue of defaulters of gas bills.

The audit officials apprised the committee that Rs22 billion of the Rs38 billion bills had been recovered from the defaulters.

The meeting also reviewed the revenue loss stemming the non-installation of an LPG plant at the Nashpa field.

The officials said on the refusal of a Canadian firm to set up the LPG plant at Nashpa field, the Oil and Gas Development Company officer had not seized the $500,000 security deposit.

The company was only blacklisted for only two years during the internal audit.

Senator Rehman recommended referring the matter to the National Accountability Bureau.

“NAB will conduct an inquiry and submit a report.”

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