Report reveals scam by ex-registrar in constructing council’s building. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
A trail of massive corruption and illegal practices have been detected in the country’s medical profession regulatory body and in the registration of medical colleges during the past six years, an audit report has revealed.
The audit report prepared by the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenue for the years 2008-2013, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, has shown that contracts were awarded to certain companies without floating a tender and in violation of legal procedures.
According to the AGPR audit report, massive corruption was allegedly committed by the former registrar Dr Ahmed Nadeem Akbar and his accomplices in the construction of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council building. The cost escalated to over Rs14 million from the approved estimates of about Rs4 million.
Meanwhile, the PMDC management awarded the contract to construct the extension of the existing PMDC headquarters at Sector G-10/4 in Islamabad to a private firm, Construction Expert, at a cost of around Rs32.33 million on February 22, 2005 with a rebate at 2.39% after negotiation. However, the audit report observed that another contract of Rs76.18 million for additional work was also given to the company without floating a tender.
The audit report also observed that Dr Akbar hired consultant firm NESPAK for construction and supervision of the building without advertising for the role as per the set procedure, resulting in irregular expenditures of Rs7.33 million.
A review of the record pertaining to the registration of foreign graduates revealed that 34 graduates appeared in exams last year and failed to qualify, but still secured the registration to practice their profession in the country.
The registrar of the council made a payment of Rs115,500 on account of legal fee to Supreme Court Advocate Malik Qamar Afzal regarding a case against ex-assistant registrar Muhammad Bashir and that undue and irregular payment was made from PMDC funds. This caused a loss of Rs 2.21 million.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, PMDC administrator Dr Amjad Mehmood admitted the irregularities and said the audit report had revealed how much loss the council has faced during the past six years.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2013.
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What about the fraud and kickbacks of PM&DC staff who allow some private medical colleges to charge tuition fees exceeding the maximum limit / ceiling stipulated in the Rules & Regulations of PM&DC itself, Almost Rs 200,000 more for Local Fee and $ 8000 more in the case of Foreign fee regimes over and above the Rs 500,000 and $ 15000 maximum ceiling under PM&DC Rules itself.
What will happen when 5% Education Tax will now be applied on such exorbitant fees , under the new budget. Wher sould one complain ?
in the end report will be put under the carpet...only weak will be accountable