k.Pakhtunkhwa:PAC detects irregularities in agriculture, dairy development dept

APP

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has found irregularities to the tune of billions of rupees in the department of Agriculture and Dairy Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and directed high level inquiry against the responsible officers, to recover the amounts. The meeting of the committee was held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House Abbottabad with Speaker, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Kiramatullah Khan in the chair. Besides members Saqibullah Khan Chamkani, Malik Tehmash Khan, Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha and Fazal Shakoor Khan, Secretary Assembly Amanullah Khan, Secretary agriculture Afsar Khan, Vice Chancellor Agriculture University Peshawar Dr. Bahadar Khan, Director General Livestock Dr. Ghufranullah. Director General, Audit Sikandar Khan and other officers and officials. The meeting took Auditor General Audit Observation 2010-11 about Director General Extension and Dairy Development Department and took a number of decisions during the course of inquiry about embezzlement of Rs.8.2 million in the Department of Livestock and Dairy Development. The committee ordered inquiry into the matter and recovery of the amount. The Speaker also ordered inquiry into the dairy development farm and windmill in D.I. Khan. He directed the presentation of the report in Public Accounts Committee with immediate effect. The committee while discussing the matter of same departments audit report 2009-10, also found some irregularities and dubious entries in stock register and showed concern over the matter. The department replied that a clerk was forcefully retired in this matter and recovery was also made from him. However, the committee rejected the plea of the department, saying that merely a clerk cannot be held responsible for such a big embezzlement. The committee was of the view that involvement of the officers concerned can not be ruled out. The committee further observed that due to lack of command and control system in the department, such irregularities occurred which cannot be tolerated at any cost. The committee directed the audit department to further thrash out and investigate the matter and present a comprehensive report within a period of two weeks. The committee meeting will now meet on Monday.