Report sought over ‘embezzlement’ of funds
A sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which oversees government spending, has called for an inquiry report on the issue of the purchase of medicines at higher than market rates by the Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH), Islamabad.
The committee has also directed to recover the amount of Rs892 million which was lost as a result of granting the lease of the land of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) below market rates.
The meeting of the PAC’s subordinate panel, chaired by the convener Wajiha Qamar, reviewed the audit objections of the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 pertaining to the Ministry of Health.
While reviewing the issue of the purchase of medicines at higher than market rates by the FGSH, Islamabad, it was reported that in the year 2015-16 and 2016-17, some medicines were available at lower rates but the hospital purchased them at higher rates and an inquiry report was prepared about the matter. At this, the committee said the report was of no use if no action was taken against those responsible.
The health secretary said that the report was ordered to be implemented and subsequently it was directed to recover the excess amount from the vendor. The audit officials, however, observed that no one was held responsible in the report.
Later, the committee called for an inquiry report on the matter besides entrusting it to the review and implementation committee.
Further, on the issue of unauthorised expenditure of more than Rs50 million on the repair and maintenance of the polyclinic building, the health secretary informed the committee that the ministry issued written instructions that all future work would be done by the Public Works Department (PWD).
To this, the committee directed to take the matter to the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC).
On the issue of dispensaries being opened without an approved policy, the audit authorities said that there was no approved policy for the dispensaries that were being opened.
The convener of the committee said, “Whoever has some power, sets up a dispensary.” The audit officials replied that 33 dispensaries were established by the polyclinic. The committee decided that the audit para would not be settled until the policy was made.
Furthermore, the issue of non-utilisation of the Central Research Fund by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) was examined in the meeting while the committee also reviewed the audit objections of the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 related to the Ministry of Industry and Production.
Earlier, it was reported by the audit authorities that the PSM incurred a loss of Rs892 million by leasing its land below the market rate. The committee issued directives to recover the amount while deferring the audit objection due to the matter being sub-judice in the court of law.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2023.