ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over the speed of developmental schemes of Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) and directed the ministry to take actions against the officers involved in delaying the schemes.

The committee which met here under the chairmanship of Shahi Syed told by the officials of ministry and Pak-PWD that Rs. 3780 millions was allocated for 75 ongoing and new developmental projects, in year 2013-14; Rs. 378 millions were released while only Rs. 88 million were utilized.

The officials apprised the committee that released funds could not be spent due to late release.

The committee noted embezzlement of Rs. 490 millions in a scheme of safe drinking water supply in Malakand, saying that the whole amount was missing and a single penny was not spent on project.

It directed the ministry to take action against the every officer involved in scam and send the case to National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The officials told that a departmental inquiry was being carried out, and then the findings of the investigation of the case could be sent to NAB.

Telling about the details of liabilities in People Works Program (PWP-II), Managing Director Hassan Haqqani informed the committee that about Rs. 552.5 millions were payable to the 131 contractors in 194 developmental schemes. The amount would be paid after checking fulfillment of requirements and Public Procurement Authority (PPRA) rules in accordance with the directives of apex court, he added.

He said that an embezzlement of Rs. 1300 millions was identified during verifications of 277 developmental schemes.

The contractors also attending the meeting apprised the committee that their payments were not being delivered despite of verifications of committees constituted for this purpose.

The committee expressed concern over the delaying in payments of projects that had been completed and recommended to ensure payments accordance with the Supreme Court directives and submit report within 20 days.

It also suggested that the mega projects should be given to NCL .

Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Usman Ibrahim told that the suggestion of exempting NCL from PPRA rules was under consideration, in a mega project of Low Income Housing Society of Prime Minister.

Talking about the implementation status of the recommendations against the corrupt officers, minister said that disciplinary proceeding against 71 officers was continue.

Senator Shahi Syed said that committee had noted number of complaints against the Estate Office and housing foundation for illegal allotments of plots and apartments to the federal government employees.

While raising question, Senator Begum Najma Hameed said that illegal occupation of Government residential accommodation by the unauthorized persons in Islamabad.

Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi raised the question about illegal occupation of government apartments by police officers and urged to resolve the issue for ensuring transparency.

He also highlighted the issue of illegal construction in the government apartments by the allottees in Islamabad and referred the committee for consideration and report.

The committee recommended to take actions across the board for curbing corruption in concern departments under the Ministry of Housing and Works and submit report in one month.

The meeting was also attended by Senator Saeedul Hassan Mandokhail, Muhammad Zafarullah Khan Dhandla, Hamza, Abdul Rauf, Haji Saifullah Khan Bangash, Farhat Abbas and Senator Suriya Ammiruddin.

Source: APP