Inquiry ordered over delay in handover of plots

Despite payment of Rs1.44b by EOBI, possession of 400 plots not given

ISLAMABAD:

The sub-committee of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) settled eleven audit paras of revenue division worth Rs3.39 billion and directed the Ministry of Overseas and human resource department secretary to conduct an inquiry and come up with a report in seven days on the issue of holding the possession of Employees Old Age Benevolent Institution (EOBI) 400 plots in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) despite an investment of Rs1.44 billion.

The PAC sub-committee meeting chaired by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reviewed the audit paras of the Ministry of Overseas and human resource development and revenue division for the year 2011-12.

The audit officials said that despite the payment of Rs1.44 billion by the EOBI, the possession of 400 plots was not given.

The audit officials noted that there was loss in income of Rs721.3 due to blockade of funds.

Convener committee asked why not the inquiry was complete when the PAC had assured to complete the probe within 30 days in September.

He directed Ministry of Overseas secretary to complete the inquiry in seven days and ordered FIA, EOBI, FDA and LDA to tally the record and report in three days.

Sadiq asked the secretary why the authority took money and development charges when it had no space. He said it appeared that the land was not even approved by the authorities concerned.

The committee directed to conduct an inquiry on the matter and present a report in seven days.

The sub-committee of PAC reviewed the audit paras of the revenue division for the year 2011-12 and settled its eleven audit paras worth Rs3.39 billion.

It reviewed 16 audit paras worth Rs18.55 billion and settled some of their parts but largely deferred them for later review.

The committee called for formulating a procedure for disposing of or giving ownership of the tampered cars.

Sadiq called for quick clearance of confiscated cars due to non-payment of customs duty so that they could become functional.

The meeting was told that the tampered cars cannot be auctioned or registered. However, on the request of government departments, the cars are given to them.

Member committee Noor Alam Khan alleged that the cars were in the use of friends and families of the customs officials.

The committee asked the FBR chairman to devise a procedure with regards to surrender of the unspent budget of revenue division.

The committee urged the FBR to frame a method to time-bound the tribunals regarding the cases of taxes and customs.

FBR officials revealed that there is a case which has been pending for the past ten years in the tribunal and has not been heard for seven years.

The committee expressed displeasure over the FBR officials for coming unprepared in the meeting.