Wrongdoing unearthed: CDA officials involved in corruption of over Rs1 million
The corruption was uncovered in civic agency’s DMA.
The amount was traced back to some DMA officials. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The involvement of the Capital Development Authority’s officials in monetary corruption has stunned the city managers.
Recently, the high ups of the civic agency detected that a whooping Rs1 million, collected as revenue by the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), did not appear in CDA’s revenue accounts.
The amount was collected by renting out open spaces and advertising rights across the city.
“Preliminary investigations into the issue revealed that besides the amount in question, another Rs600,000 collected by the department after issuing computerised birth and death certificates is also missing,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.
The amount was traced back to some DMA officials, he confirmed adding that it was yet to be ascertained who was involved, as no one had so far claimed responsibility.
Given the situation, the authority high-ups have decided to hold a special audit of the DMA accounts in a bid to ascertain the level of illegality and amount of money stolen.
“It’s not confirmed. But there are rumours,” DMA Director Hamza Shafqat said. The CDA auditors have been asked to carry out a special audit of DMA accounts to get a clearer picture, the director added.
In the past some DMA officials had managed to cash pay orders amounting to Rs13.7 million. These pay orders were stolen from the records. However, recovery was made and inquiry was also ordered into the issue.
The DMA collects revenue under various heads including issuance of permissions, licensing for all sort of trades and activities, roadside advertisements, permission for use of open spaces, birth and death registration, licensing of right of ways or roads, etc.
Though over the period of time, the DMA managed significant increase in its revenue, but there seems no respite from corrupt practices prevailing in this department.
“Prime reason for the recent hike in corruption is the incumbent management that wants to run the affairs of the DMA on an ad hoc basis,” said a senior officer.
Talking to The Express Tribune, CDA spokesperson, Ramzan Sajid said that it was premature to comment over the issue as audit of accounts was underway.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2015.
The involvement of the Capital Development Authority’s officials in monetary corruption has stunned the city managers.
Recently, the high ups of the civic agency detected that a whooping Rs1 million, collected as revenue by the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), did not appear in CDA’s revenue accounts.
The amount was collected by renting out open spaces and advertising rights across the city.
“Preliminary investigations into the issue revealed that besides the amount in question, another Rs600,000 collected by the department after issuing computerised birth and death certificates is also missing,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.
The amount was traced back to some DMA officials, he confirmed adding that it was yet to be ascertained who was involved, as no one had so far claimed responsibility.
Given the situation, the authority high-ups have decided to hold a special audit of the DMA accounts in a bid to ascertain the level of illegality and amount of money stolen.
“It’s not confirmed. But there are rumours,” DMA Director Hamza Shafqat said. The CDA auditors have been asked to carry out a special audit of DMA accounts to get a clearer picture, the director added.
In the past some DMA officials had managed to cash pay orders amounting to Rs13.7 million. These pay orders were stolen from the records. However, recovery was made and inquiry was also ordered into the issue.
The DMA collects revenue under various heads including issuance of permissions, licensing for all sort of trades and activities, roadside advertisements, permission for use of open spaces, birth and death registration, licensing of right of ways or roads, etc.
Though over the period of time, the DMA managed significant increase in its revenue, but there seems no respite from corrupt practices prevailing in this department.
“Prime reason for the recent hike in corruption is the incumbent management that wants to run the affairs of the DMA on an ad hoc basis,” said a senior officer.
Talking to The Express Tribune, CDA spokesperson, Ramzan Sajid said that it was premature to comment over the issue as audit of accounts was underway.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2015.