November 26, 2002	Tuesday	Ramazan 20, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: Misuse and wastage of funds have been detected in renovation work of Parliament Lodges, reliable sources in the CDA told Dawn.

They said out of Rs200 million allocated for the lodges, Rs150 million was earmarked for the extension work (construction of two new blocks), and Rs50 million for the renovation.

Furniture, curtains and carpets that could have been repaired, were replaced. Similarly, renovation work proved unsatisfactory as a number of MNAs complained about faulty electrical appliances and out-of-order fixtures.

The sources said the officials concerned had taken huge commission in awarding the contracts for the renovation work.

The renovation was carried out in a haste, and a number of discrepancies were detected in the utilization of the funds by the CDA engineering wing, the sources said.

They said the CDA chairman had also been informed about the complaints lodged by the MNAs regarding sub-standard renovation work.

The said Rs5 million had been utilized for the renovation work, which included white wash, repair of fixtures, furniture, electronic accessories, washing and replacement of carpets and curtains etc.

When contacted, Parliament Lodges director Suleman Sahito denied that any irregularity had been committed in the renovation and extension work of the lodges.

“If such malpractice had been committed, the CDA would have been under severe criticism by the MNAs,” he added.

Lodges for Senators: Some 30 parliament lodges have been fixed for the senators and 30 more lodges are being constructed for them, says an official of the Capital Development Authority.

The official said some 330 parliament lodges had been allotted to the Members of National Assembly (MNAs).

The MNAs, who could not get lodges, are ‘pressurising’ the CDA to have rooms in parliament lodges.

However, the authority has asked them to contact with the National Assembly Secretariat for this purpose.