Eleventh hour: CADD minister expresses dissatisfaction over ‘irregularities’

Issue revolves around unspent budget of the division from previous fiscal year.

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Minister of State Barrister Usman Ibrahim in an eleventh hour move expressed dissatisfaction over staff of the division for not surrendering the unspent budget from the previous fiscal year to the Ministry of Finance. 

An officer privy to the development said that till May 15 government offices submit details of the spent, required and unspent amount to the finance ministry. The process usually continues till June 30.

The minister is known for taking such “stern” action against officers of the ministry in the past.

Earlier this month, Ibrahim issued orders concerning alleged misuse of vehicles of the division by some officers and had sought a report.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the state minister took serious notice of financial irregularities in the CADD.

There are no details about the nature of irregularities but according to the press release, the minister also asked as to why the unspent funds for financial year 2014-2015 were not surrendered by May 15, 2015.

“Steps to purchase equipment, office furniture, etc are taken at the end of the financial year. These hasty purchases at the end result in non-compliance of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, unnecessary spending and un-fulfillment of other formalities which are a pre-requisite for ensuring transparency and austerity in expenditure,” the press release read.

The minister further directed the secretary to take action against the violators.

Commenting on the development, a senior officer of the ministry termed it a misunderstanding on the minister’s part.

The secretary CADD has also been issued a letter to ask all the departments to submit the expenditure report with the minister.

“Later, after approval of the finance ministry, funds are re-appropriated for projects still incomplete,” said an official privy to the development.

He also termed the order of irregularities of funds in violation of PPRA rules as exaggerated. The official said that all bills and details were usually submitted with the AGPR.

CADD Secretary Khalid Hanif confirmed the letter from the minister about the expenditure but expressed ignorance about the press release.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2015.