NAB authorities have expressed concern over a perceived lack of cooperation by most of the provincial departments in Punjab. PHOTO: FILE
The National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Punjab chapter is seeking details of all contracts costing Rs50 million and above from the provincial departments, sources familiar with the matter in NAB told The Express Tribune.
NAB authorities have expressed concern over a perceived lack of cooperation by most of the provincial departments in Punjab.
NAB’s Director of Awareness and Prevention (A&P) for Punjab Atiqur Rehman told The Express Tribune that NAB has sent a letter to the Punjab chief secretary to ensure early replies to their requests. NAB is asking for information on the bidding process as well as details of purchases over Rs50 million.
The first letter was sent to the Punjab government in April and the second in May. The third reminder was sent on December 24 in which the NAB gave the government a three-day deadline to provide details of the Metro Bus Service (MBS) project.
Rehman said that on Friday, the Transport department provided them with details of the MBS project.
A special cell has been established at NAB Punjab on the directive of NAB chairman. NAB will examine documents for compliance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules as well as provincial government rules.
Atiqur Rehman said that the exercise was meant to curb corruption and lack of transparency in mega development projects and purchases from the public exchequer.
NAB has written similar letters to all the federal and provincial departments as well as their attached departments, seeking a complete record of these development projects including PC-1, pre-qualification, tenders, contract agreements and technical and financial bids.
Section 33B of National Accountability Ordinance
The section states: All ministries, divisions and attached departments of the federal government, all departments of provincial and local governments, statutory corporations or authorities established by the federal government or provincial government and holders of public offices shall furnish to NAB a copy of any contract, entered into by such ministries, divisions and attached departments of the federal government, all departments of provincial government or local government, statutory corporations or authorities established by the federal government or provincial government or such holder of public offices on its behalf, as the case may be, of the minimum monetary value of fifty million rupees or more, within such time as is reasonably practicable from the date of signing such contract.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2012.
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