Karachi, June 21, 2017 (PPI-OT):The Director General Audit Sindh in his special Audit report on Director Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair (SMBBC) has found the appointment of the incumbent director against the rules and regulation as she had no required experience.
The Director General Audit Sindh conducting an special audit on Director, SMBBC and Convention Centre from 2009 to 2016 has found the appointment of the incumbent director, Sahar Gul Abbasi against the rules. The report says that the advertisement of the post dated January 18, 2015 was found but there was no list of number of applicants or shortlisted candidates. Ever there was no notification of the selection committee.
Ms Sahar Gul Bhatti was shortlisted but did not have 15 years teaching/research guidance experience as required in the advertisement “which seems an undue favour to the candidate where as Mr Shuja Ahmed (competitor of Ms Sahar Gul Bhatti) was Masters from London and Ph.D from London and have a complete or more than 15 years experience as required in the advertisement.
The Director General Audit Sindh Karachi conducted an audit of ‘Director Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair and Convention Centre Karachi University in January, 2017. The main objectives of the audit were to review the chair’s performance against the intended objectives, to assess whether chair was managed with due regard to economy and efficiency and to review compliance with applicable rules, regulations and procedures. The audit was conducted in accordance with the INTOSAI Auditing Standards.
In 2008 Government of Sindh established Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair and Convention Centre Karachi University. The chair aimed at undertaking the research on the Vision and Mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The institute would be providing education through designing multidisciplinary courses, short and long as portrait by utilizing Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s precious political thought academically such as Democracy, Peace, Development, Good Governance, Poverty Alleviation, Human Rights, Women’s Emancipation and development to create awareness in upcoming young generations to develop the country. The chair would enter into collaboration with National and International institutions for various exchange of programs.
During review of the accounts of the Director, SMBB Chair and Convention Centre University of Karachi for the period up to 2015-16, it was observed that supervision construction contract Rs7.936 million was awarded to M/s Shahzad Associates for supervision consultancy against the provision at 2 percent of the contract cost of Rs5.290 million in P.C.I. Hence excess rate at1percent of Rs2.646 million over and above the provision of P.C.I was allowed/ awarded without approval of competent forum.
The auditor general has recommended detailed inquiry into the matter. The audit report says that during audit of office of the Director, SMBB Chair and Convention Centre University of Karachi for the period up to 2015-16, it was observed that the funds of Rs 6.150 million were drawn from assignment account and deposited into university account to avoid lapse of funds which is illegal. as under:
The report say the review of the accounts of the Director, SMBB Chair and Convention Centre University of Karachi for the period up to 2015-16, it was observed that advance payment of Rs 1.876 million was made on account of purchase of fixed assets to the suppliers as work order was issued on June 14, 2015 and contract agreement was not signed. Moreover, the procurement ID was withheld at SPPRA website due to non-compliance of SPP Rules and also no inspection reports of the items by the committee were found to audit.
During the special audit of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto chair, it was observed that the Director of SMBBC has been offered and paid a lump sum package of Rs160,000 p.m totalling Rs 1,920,000 on account of salary during the period from June 2015 to June 2016 without approval of the Syndicate / Senate whereas the predecessor Director was obtaining salary of Rs130,000/ p.m for which no any approval was found.
The report said the Director was appointed on the fixed salary of Rs 160,000 p.m. for a period of two years and no any other facility was given but contrary to the above Rs 0.150 million on account of POL for the personal vehicle and mobile card for the personal use was drawn. The report recommends that the expenditure so incurred seemed unauthorized which may be recovered.
The audit found that the endowment funds of Rs.25.00 million were received by the Directorate of SMBB chair for investments and expenditure would be made from the profit earned on the investments whereas Rs3.032 million were utilized from the endowment funds as per the statement submitted to audit which shows balance of Rs21.968 million out of Rs25.00 million. The auditor recommends recovery of the funds so drawn may be made under intimation to audit.
The report say that works of Rs262.533 million was awarded to a contractor for construction of Convention Centre and allied facilities for the Chair who was ineligible contractor as per evaluation criteria of the prequalification document. The report says that the supervision construction contract of Rs 7.936 million was awarded to M/s Shahzad Associates for supervision consultancy of, “Construction of office, convention centre and allied facilities for Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair” who was ineligible contractor as per evaluation criteria of the prequalification document.
The report says NITs of Rs60.759 million was awarded to contractor / consultant but the procurement IDs were withheld due to non-following of SPP Rules, 2010 and payment was released without fulfilling the codal requirements. Thus payment without fulfilling procedures of procurement was unauthorized.
According to report the expenditure of Rs 0.287 million was incurred on account of printing and publication through splitting up upon the same dates to avoid open tender. Expenditure so incurred could not be authenticated. The audit report say that in the scheme titled “construction of Benazir Bhutto chair and allied facilities” an expenditure of Rs 1.864 million has been incurred on the head of contingency which includes professional video camera of Rs 60,000 and other items but no any tender was floated for this in contravention of above rules.
The audit has raised objection that a Rs24.670 million was drawn and paid to a contractor on account of mobilization advance prior to award of work and before obtaining 10 percent bank guarantee and 10 percent guarantee was also obtained before issuance of mobilization advance cheque. The report also says that a vehicle was purchased for Rs788 million during ban period without approval of the chief minister. Also approval of external bill for advance payment was not found to audit. The auditor has recommended necessary action and further inquiry.
For more information, contact:
Press Secretary,
Chief Minister House, Sindh
Tel: +92-21-99202019 (Ext: 336)
Website: www.cmsindh.gov.pk
