PAC panel unearths loss of Rs7.8m in procurement of medicines
A sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee has revealed that ignoring the lowest bid in the procurement of medicines by Ministry of Religious Affairs caused a loss of Rs7.8 million. The committee gave a month to determine those responsible for the matter.
A meeting of the sub-panel of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament was held under the chairmanship of Convener Committee Munaza Hassan. The meeting reviewed objections raised in 2014-15 audit of the ministry. The convener committee directed the Ministry officials to regularise the DAC.
Audit officials told the committee that the Evacuee Trust Property Board Lahore paid Rs202 million to Pakistan Model Institutions Foundation in 2013-14 to support schools and institutions and Rs191 million was allowed to be issued. However, Rs10 million additional was spent. Out of Rs191 million, the expenditure of Rs131 million is unjustified, they said.
“The matter is with the National Accountability Bureau. Private institutions were set up under the foundation. Where do the fees charged from the children of these schools go?” the committee convener inquired.
Ministry of Religious Affairs officials told the committee that 4,000 children study there.
On the occasion, the committee directed officials of the ministry to talk to the Punjab government regarding running of these schools. The committee postponed the audit paragraph as the matter was with the NAB. Audit officials told the committee that in 2013-14, the Ministry of Religious Affairs ignored lowest bid for procurement of medicines, which resulted in a loss of Rs7.8 million.
Convener Committee Munaza Hassan said that standards should be kept in mind while publishing advertisements. The committee gave a month to determine those responsible for the matter.