Devolution woes: DCs ‘powerless, handicapped’ in new system, hears PAC

Sindh Assembly’s financial watchdog discusses audits of district govts.

KARACHI:

The deputy commissioners in Sindh are upset. Since the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act has come in place, they feel powerless and handicapped.

The officials spoke their hearts out on Wednesday before the Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), as a meeting discussed the audit reports of district governments for the year 2010-11.

For the first time in a decade, the Sindh Assembly’s financial watchdog has been allowed to take a look at the audits of district governments to review how public money was spent.

The deputy commissioners (DC) claimed they could not perform their actual jobs as their powers have been devolved to district government officers and town municipal administration since the new local governance system was introduced. Many agencies and officials working for the district governments are not even obeying their orders.

“We have no authority to inquire about any wrongdoings, pay surprise visits or keep an eye on unlawful activities,” complained the Hyderabad DC, Agha Shahnawaz, at the meeting. “Our position has been reduced to a ceremonial post without any power.”

He added that he could not even visit a public hospital without seeking permission from its medical superintendent.

Seconding his concerns was Mehdi Shah, the Tando Allahyar DC. “We have been asked to look after the revenue department but the same powers have been given to mayors [also],” he said. “We really don’t have any clear idea about our role or responsibility now.”



“The committee is asking us about the financial irregularities in various accounts but it has yet to be ascertained whether the authority of principal accounting officers lies with us or the chief officers,” Shah wondered, while referring to the newly created post in the new law.

During the meeting, the audits of eight districts - Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Qamber, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Thatta and Naushahro Feroze - were to be discussed but most DCs did not submit the relevant papers.

The Shikarpur DC was present but did not bring the account books. Of the eight, only the Tando Allahyar DC came prepared and responded to all queries.

The PAC members pointed out the absence of some DCs, ordering complaints to be lodged with the Sindh chief secretary. “You are supposed to submit your working papers at least a week before the meeting. The PAC will not tolerate your bureaucratic attitude,” Mujadid Isran warned the officials.

All DCs were directed to produce their respective financial records to settle the accounts within 10 days. About the relegated authorities of the DCs, PAC chairman Jam Tamachi Unar ordered writing a letter to the Sindh chief minister and governor. “We recommend the government empower the DCs to watch over affairs of education, health and irrigation, which play a vital role in day-to-day life.”

Public money

During 2010-11, then Tando Allahyar executive district officer (community development department) paid Rs5.6 million to the Community Citizen Board. There is no record how the money was spent, the audit director general, Ghulam Akbar Sohu, said. These boards were set up under the Sindh Local Government Ordinance of 2001. The government and communities initiated the projects jointly with 80 per cent funds provided by the government. “It would be difficult to verify how the amount was utilised,” said Mehdi Shah.

The PAC chairman intervened by saying that most money was spent to “appease influentials” by building unnecessary roads and autaqs [personal guesthouses].

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2012.