Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has brought to the notice of Planning & Development Department, Government of Punjab allegations of violation of Punjab Procurement Rules, (PPR) 2009 in the procurement of 110,000 laptops by the Punjab Government, incurring a loss of at least Rs 1.7 billion.
In a letter sent to the Secretary, Planning & Development Department, Government of Punjab, Ali Tahir on April 6, TIP Adviser, Syed Adil Gilani has citing a number of serious allegations reported in print media on April 6, 2012 in this regard.
He requested the Secretary to examine the allegations. According to Punjab Procurement Rules, 2009, P&D Department was obliged to issue tender documents comprising detailed specifications, evaluation criteria and other documents complying with Rule No 23. He also sought tender documents to examine whether the Rule was applied or not.
The allegations such as direct procurement from company should have been made or government opened a back-to-back LC to favour the supplier are not correct. However, P&D Department may clarify the allegations such as indirect reference that the specifications of laptops in the tender were different from those procured (like i3 or i5 processors were specified in tender, while the machine provided by the government runs on Pentium-D processor) and laptops distributed by the provincial government do not carry any guarantee, or the prices are 70% higher than market costs needs detailed report.
Adil Gilani pointed out that the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its Judgment on RPPs announced on March 30, 2012, rescinded and declared all RPP Contacts awarded in 2006 as well as in 2008 as illegal and against PPRA Rules.
"It is important to note that all the executive authorities are bound to enter into contracts for supplies at the least expense to the public exchequer. Most significant consideration for every department of the Government must be the best economical mode of meeting the public needs.
"The contracts of all the RPPs - solicited and unsolicited,
signed off or operational, right from BHIKKI & SHARAQPUR up to PIRANGHAIB, NAUDERO-I & NAUDERO-II were entered into in contravention of law/PPRA Rules, which, besides suffering from other irregularities, violated the principle of transparency and fair and open competition, therefore, the same are declared to be non-transparent, illegal and void ab initio. Consequently, the contracts of RPPs are ordered to be rescinded forthwith and all the persons responsible for the same are liable to be dealt with for civil and criminal action in accordance with law," TIP quoted from the judgement.
Being a member of Punjab PPRA Board, "your responsibilities are more than other procuring departments, as you need to be role model of PPRA complaint department," he said.
Copies of the letter have been forwarded for information to: Chief Minister, Punjab, Lahore, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Lahore, and Managing Director, PPRA Punjab, Lahore.
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