Judicial commission calls for disciplinary action against CDA officials
Regular hearing on 26 petitions fixed for May 3.
The commission strongly advised the CDA against exercising political interference in its matters and suggested that all master plans for new projects be fully implemented in future. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
A three-member judicial commission has called for disciplinary action against Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials found to have indulged in corrupt practices in the civic body’s mega projects.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Tuesday fixed a regular hearing on 26 petitions pertaining to various CDA projects for May 3.
Justice Siddiqui had constituted the commission on November 15, 2012 to probe alleged corruption among the CDA’s top brass.
The commission completed its inquiry on April 5, 2013 and sent its findings, which included recorded statements of 125 witnesses, to the IHC, which has now passed them on to CDA Chairman Tahir Shahbaz.
The projects under scrutiny included the alleged illegal construction of Monal Restaurant at Pir Sohawa, the Kuri Model village scam, the diplomatic enclave shuttle service contract, and agrofarm allotments among others.
Commission recommendations
The commission strongly advised the CDA against exercising political interference in its matters and suggested that all master plans for new projects be fully implemented in future.
It also called for the banning of all CDA private housing schemes and greater scrutiny of the recruitment process while issuing a directive that future incidences of corruption must be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency or the National Accountability Bureau.
Monal restaurant
The commission’s findings indicate that PC-1 of this project was prepared for Rs39.624 million 2004, a figure that was revised to Rs105.31 million in 2006, resulting in huge losses to the national exchequer because open tenders were not issued.
The CDA’s fifteen-year lease for the restaurant did not sit well with the commission, who recommended a five-year maximum period for all future projects. In its concluding remarks, the commission held then CDA chairman Kamran Lashari responsible for violating Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules.
Recruitment process
The commission observed that most appointments for CDA positions were made on the basis of references, citing the absence of official advertisements. It suggested the CDA constitute a committee of senior officers headed by Shahbaz to scrutinise the dubious appointments.
According to the report, over 1,776 permanent employees were appointed since 2008, of which 58 were recruited as consultants on lucrative packages, while 2,701 were appointed on daily wages of which 890 had been regularised.
Diplomatic Enclave shuttle service contract
In its report, the commission observed that the private contractor charged Rs500 per person for using the shuttle service, which facilitates embassy visitors.
However, as the price was deemed illegal, the commission’s findings suggested cancellation of the contractor’s lease.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.
A three-member judicial commission has called for disciplinary action against Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials found to have indulged in corrupt practices in the civic body’s mega projects.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Tuesday fixed a regular hearing on 26 petitions pertaining to various CDA projects for May 3.
Justice Siddiqui had constituted the commission on November 15, 2012 to probe alleged corruption among the CDA’s top brass.
The commission completed its inquiry on April 5, 2013 and sent its findings, which included recorded statements of 125 witnesses, to the IHC, which has now passed them on to CDA Chairman Tahir Shahbaz.
The projects under scrutiny included the alleged illegal construction of Monal Restaurant at Pir Sohawa, the Kuri Model village scam, the diplomatic enclave shuttle service contract, and agrofarm allotments among others.
Commission recommendations
The commission strongly advised the CDA against exercising political interference in its matters and suggested that all master plans for new projects be fully implemented in future.
It also called for the banning of all CDA private housing schemes and greater scrutiny of the recruitment process while issuing a directive that future incidences of corruption must be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency or the National Accountability Bureau.
Monal restaurant
The commission’s findings indicate that PC-1 of this project was prepared for Rs39.624 million 2004, a figure that was revised to Rs105.31 million in 2006, resulting in huge losses to the national exchequer because open tenders were not issued.
The CDA’s fifteen-year lease for the restaurant did not sit well with the commission, who recommended a five-year maximum period for all future projects. In its concluding remarks, the commission held then CDA chairman Kamran Lashari responsible for violating Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules.
Recruitment process
The commission observed that most appointments for CDA positions were made on the basis of references, citing the absence of official advertisements. It suggested the CDA constitute a committee of senior officers headed by Shahbaz to scrutinise the dubious appointments.
According to the report, over 1,776 permanent employees were appointed since 2008, of which 58 were recruited as consultants on lucrative packages, while 2,701 were appointed on daily wages of which 890 had been regularised.
Diplomatic Enclave shuttle service contract
In its report, the commission observed that the private contractor charged Rs500 per person for using the shuttle service, which facilitates embassy visitors.
However, as the price was deemed illegal, the commission’s findings suggested cancellation of the contractor’s lease.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.