The allocation of two plots to top-ranked bureaucrats was described as a “discriminatory and flawed” policy on Wednesday by some members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – however, the committee was unable to order cancellation of the second plots due to disagreements amongst its members.
PAC members who were against the policy said it was contradictory to the Constitution, which promises equal rights to all citizens.
The two plots policy was approved by the then prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, in 2006. According to the new rules, grade 22 bureaucrats would also receive a servant after retirement and 20% special pay (a monthly addition to their basic salary). Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation Director General Mian Talat informed the committee that this policy was extended to judges of the Supreme Court in 2008.
So far, the government has doled out second plots to 123 bureaucrats at a mere Rs2.7 million per plot. Another 63 grade 22 officers are on a waiting list due to scarcity of land.
According to the policy, any bureaucrat who already owns more than one plot cannot avail this privilege. The PAC observed, however, that the housing foundation had been providing plots without verifying claims of applicants who said they did not own more than one plot.
Talat conceded that some bureaucrats had submitted false affidavits and that the provincial administrations had not provided details of plots allotted to federal government employees so far, which would have ensured verification.
The PAC asked the housing ministry to submit a fresh list of beneficiaries including details of plots that these bureaucrats have obtained while serving in different provinces.
The PAC members who wanted to cancel the second plot include Yasmeen Rehman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who suggested that the special allowance as well as the second plot be withdrawn.
Riaz Fatyana of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) said the policy of giving plots after retirement was flawed and the government should give apartments to federal employees, and recover the cost from their salaries.
On the other hand, some of the members were of the view that it would be difficult to take back the plots from those who have already received them.
Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Kamran Lashari defended former premier Shaukat Aziz’s decision, saying the two plots package was aimed at recognising the services of grade 22 officers. Lashari, who is set to retire next week, said there should be a proper system for providing shelter to federal government employees.
Many PAC members argued, however, that those in lower positions should also be entitled to similar facilities in the case, especially since many work ‘much harder’ than federal secretaries.
PAC chairperson Nadeem Afzal Chan also took exception to what he deemed interference from the prime minister’s principal secretary in the allotment issue. Despite the fact that the matter was under the PAC’s consideration, the principal secretary has summoned the Capital Development Authority chairperson and directed him to create more space for provision of second plots to bureaucrats, according to Chan.
The chairperson added that the premier has assured him that the PAC’s recommendations on double plots will be implemented, but if they aren’t, the committee will go to the Supreme Court.
The committee also observed that former premier Benazir Bhutto’s 1995 decision to give plots to 481 officials was in violation of the rules.
The PAC will announce its decision on the dual plots policy next week.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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These plot-giving schemes should be consigned immediately to the dustbin of history, where they actually belong. Not even a single plot. If you don't like the job benefits go work for another employer. How about working for a private sector bank, where you will be expected to work twice as hard and thrice as long as in a government job, and with no job security either.
welcome to eliteistan
When will the Dual Nationality of bureaucrats be decided?? It's very simple... enjoy all perks & privileges in Pakistan, go on foreign postings, get 2nd nationality of a Developed country, on retirement get the 2 plots, sell the plots, convert the money in $$ Go back & settle in the country of your choice. Who cares about Pakistan!!!
"Many PAC members argued, however, that those in lower positions should also be entitled to similar facilities in the case, especially since many work ‘much harder’ than federal secretaries."
This is crap. People working in Grade 22 got there by working for decades in lower Basic Pay Scales. If the system works properly (no retired general appointed direct to BPS-22) then there is no problem with the policy of at least one plot. Its called an incentive to forgo the much more lucrative private sector.
So Nadir's initial question is rather pointless.
@Muhammad Yaqub You mean the nation must now subsidize the land grabbed by the civilians too? no thank you
What a joke! Are civil servants from Grade 1 - 21 somehow less deserving? Its not as if government servants have been volunteering their services with no pay and benefits that the taxpayer has to insure that post retirement they are millionaires. What makes them so deserving? Everyone at the top thinks that somehow they have an inherent right to be enriched at the states expense! What off the tens of millions of Pakistanis who have sacrificed their personal and familys welfare everyday, as they are ignored by the state and live in poverty. Give them something for their sacrifices!
The ineffectiveness and helplessness of PAC is quiet evident when its chairman says that if its recommendations are not implmeneted,it will go to SC. Here lies the contrast between the NA and Senate Committes of Pakistan than that of US where government cannot ignore the recommendations of the committes. The recommendations of Petroleum committee to de link the prices of CNG from petrol, stop weekly adjustment of petrol prices and lower the petroleum price were thrown to the dust bin by the government and ultimately the SC had to intervene. As regards discrimination and dual allotment of plots to top civil bureaucracy, it is iron of fate that top civil bureaucracy has been grinding its own axe since last 65 years, totally oblivious of the plight of rest of civil servants. Its so called housing foundation has not been able to proivde shelter to retired lower and middle cadre officers what to speak of providing shelter to lower class civil employees. Quarters in Islamabad's sector G-6 and G-7 are now occupied by 3rd generation, the senior retired generations having no other shelter. As against civil bureaucracy, the army who is effectively running coporate business like trade,commerce,banking, and manufacturing to accomodate its retired force, has ensured that every officer from lowest to the highest rank has a house of his/her own after retirement. Army has also ensured that its retired personnel even in the lowest rank has best medical facility for self and their families in army hospitals . In contrast civilian officers even if retired in grade 20 from the armed forces, can be seen routing in BBH, or Holy Family Hospital for their medical treatment after retirement. These are a few examples of discrimination which I am sure, the PAC and the govetrnment despite having full knowledge,is helpless to do away with.
Follow something what the Armed Forces do. Every one sets aside some amount of money from his monthly salary and depending on the period of service, gets a new house or apartment. The government also puts in their share. Dishing out Public property to Public servants by elected servants is un-ethical and should be illegal.
Why even single plot?. These senior government servants make rules to suit their own greed