A free stay: Four months’ rent unpaid for PCSW building
Delay in payment blamed on social welfare department
Chaiperson of the Commission Ms, Neelum Toru. PHOTO: fb.com/NeelamToruOfficial
PESHAWAR:
There are commissions all over the world to keep a look over government affairs, but in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa it appears the watchdog itself needs to be kept an eye on.
The rent of the building of the Provincial Commission on Status of Women (PCSW) had not been paid for the last four months. The building was approved and issued a no objection certificate by the communication and works department about two years ago.
The rent was delayed, as was the practice, for some time and it was finally decided that an advance amount would be paid in July 2015. However, it was initially delayed due to the failure to release the first tranche and later thanks to the social welfare department’s delayed transfer of the amount to the finance department in September 2015.
The finance department sought the advance payment so that rent could be paid for the commission’s building. However, officials claimed that the welfare department had not responded to the request in a satisfactory manner which was delaying matters.
Last week, the finance secretary assured his cooperation and said the case would be especially considered.
PTI’s Neelum Toru told The Express Tribune the problem occurred due to procedural delays by the social welfare department and PCSW had nothing to do with it. She added a case should be built so that the money can be received to pay the rent.
The welfare department’s failure to follow the rules and clarify matters with the finance department is reportedly responsible for the delay, but nobody from the latter authority is willing to comment on the matter.
The finance department also places the blame on the shoulders of the welfare department, saying it was responsible for the delayed procedures. It added the matter was being investigated. The commission has been taken for granted by the welfare department, insiders concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2015.
There are commissions all over the world to keep a look over government affairs, but in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa it appears the watchdog itself needs to be kept an eye on.
The rent of the building of the Provincial Commission on Status of Women (PCSW) had not been paid for the last four months. The building was approved and issued a no objection certificate by the communication and works department about two years ago.
The rent was delayed, as was the practice, for some time and it was finally decided that an advance amount would be paid in July 2015. However, it was initially delayed due to the failure to release the first tranche and later thanks to the social welfare department’s delayed transfer of the amount to the finance department in September 2015.
The finance department sought the advance payment so that rent could be paid for the commission’s building. However, officials claimed that the welfare department had not responded to the request in a satisfactory manner which was delaying matters.
Last week, the finance secretary assured his cooperation and said the case would be especially considered.
PTI’s Neelum Toru told The Express Tribune the problem occurred due to procedural delays by the social welfare department and PCSW had nothing to do with it. She added a case should be built so that the money can be received to pay the rent.
The welfare department’s failure to follow the rules and clarify matters with the finance department is reportedly responsible for the delay, but nobody from the latter authority is willing to comment on the matter.
The finance department also places the blame on the shoulders of the welfare department, saying it was responsible for the delayed procedures. It added the matter was being investigated. The commission has been taken for granted by the welfare department, insiders concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2015.