ACE probes scam in Suthra Punjab

Officials suspected of inflating vehicle numbers, manipulating fuel record

JARANWALA:

The Anti-Corruption Establishment has launched an inquiry into suspected financial irregularities in the Suthra Punjab Agency Faisalabad, involving monthly fuel and vehicle rental expenses.

Açcording to sources, officials have taken video recordings, documents and mobile phones of some employees for the investigation.

Legal action regarding the matter would depend on the outcome of the inquiry.

The sources said it wzs suspected that the agency had shown the Punjab government a fleet of 800 vehicles for sanitation operations, although only around 550 were allegedly in the field.

Approximately Rs15.6 million was being spent monthly on fuel for the declared fleet.

When the rental expenses of another 200 vehicles were included, the alleged irregularities amounted to nearly Rs17.5 million per month.

The suspected modus operandi involved the use of multiple fake number plates against a vehicle to obtain fuel.

Petrol station employees and other individuals reportedly worked together to attach fake registration plates to a vehicle and draw fuel against them.

After refuelling, the vehicle was allegedly taken to a workshop near the petrol station on Rajbah Road, where the fuel was drained.

The sources said an allegation was also being investigated that vehicle tracking devices had been deliberately damaged and CCTV cameras at the petrol station rendered dysfunctional to conceal the acts.

The sources said local ACE officials were examining the evidence and financial details to look into the responsibility and extent of the alleged fraud.