Institutional mismanagement: Crackdown launched against contractors, govt officials

Strict measures taken to bring transparency in system

PESHAWAR: A crackdown has been launched against contractors and government officials involved in misappropriating development funds in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

This was stated in a handout issued on Sunday. According to the document, the action is taken on the directives of Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan.

“At least seven contractors from Kurram, FR Tank and FR DI Khan were arrested and Rs55 million was recovered from their possession,” read the statement. “The crackdown was launched against those contractors and government officers who had either obtained payments before the schemes had been completed or presented fake documents regarding various development schemes.”

Misrepresentation

According to the handout, a large number of contractors received payments in advance for these schemes but had failed to ensure their completion.

“More often than not, contractors would misrepresent facts on legal documents and say schemes had been completed when they had not,” stated the document. “As a result, they managed to misappropriate funds.”

Invisible hand

The statement added the governor was informed that some contractors in the tribal belt were involved in these activities on the orders of government officials.

As a result, Mehtab issued directives to the relevant authorities to take to task the contractors and government officials involved in such activities.

“Strict action must be taken against contractors as Rs130 million is yet to be recovered from them,” the handout quoted Mehtab as saying.

The document stated the governor will not allow anyone to misappropriate development funds as they belong to the tribespeople.

“The public exchequer must be used in a transparent manner,” read the statement. “Those who are involved in mismanaging funds will be apprehended.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2015.