Dubious claim raises questions about RDA audit

Civic body reimburses Rs31k against four-year-old prescription

RAWALPINDI:

Financial discipline and transparency in financial affairs appear to have remained elusive at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), where a senior officer has been reimbursed for medicines purchased in 2026 against an unauthorised medical prescription issued in 2022, in apparent violation of rules and regulations.

Approval of the reimbursement bill has raised questions about the professional responsibilities of the RDA's internal audit and finance directorate.

The medical prescription in question dates back to 2022, when the officer concerned was not posted at the RDA.

The private hospital that issued the prescription is also not included on the authority's approved list.

The prescription included multivitamin medicines generally considered strength supplements rather than medicines for treating a specific illness.

Surprisingly, medicines were purchased in 2026 against the 2022 prescription for the officer's father, and the officer obtained reimbursement of the bill amounting to Rs31,980 from the RDA.

The medical reimbursement bill was approved by the RDA's deputy director finance and director finance, while the authority's internal audit also cleared it.

It is pertinent to note that subordinate employees and other officers of the RDA routinely face difficulties in obtaining reimbursement for their medical treatment claims.

Previously, more than Rs2 billion had been transferred from the RDA's official account to private firms and individuals through cash deposit receipts (CDRs) over a period of five to six years.

At the time, the authority's internal audit forum, director general and director finance had also failed to prevent or trace such transactions.

It is also worth mentioning that the RDA currently has no full-time director general, with the Rawalpindi commissioner holding the additional charge of the post.

Meanwhile, repeated attempts were made to obtain the RDA's version regarding the payment against the medical reimbursement bill despite the apparent disregard for rules and regulations.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer Hafiz Mohammad Irfan requested that the news not be published.

When pressed for the authority's position, he asked for a formal questionnaire, which was duly sent. However, despite waiting a day and contacting him again the following day, the PRO declined to comment on the matter and stopped answering calls.