|
|
|
| May 19, 2005 | Thursday | Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1426 |
Massive bungling in TMA alleged
FAISALABAD, May 18: The chairmen of monitoring committees for regulation and accounts of the Tehsil Municipal Administration (city) have accused Tehsil Nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema of appropriating millions of rupees and running the affairs in violation of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001. Talking to newsmen here on Wednesday, accounts committee chairman Mian Sarfraz Ahmad and regulation committee chairman Abdul Hafeez alleged that despite clear-cut instructions from the provincial government, the TMA invited tenders for development projects of Rs320 million despite the fact that council had been facing financial crisis so much so that it had no funds to pay electricity bills. They alleged that the Nazim had done so for personal gains.
They further said the contractors had been running from pillar to post to get payments of bills of the development schemes they had completed. “The TMA owes Rs350 million to the contractors.”
The two officials also said huge amounts were received as kickbacks from the land-developers on account of issuance of NOCs to owners of 37 housing schemes in different parts of the city. A majority of such schemes is being developed without fulfilling codal requirements of the housing schemes.
They alleged that over Rs82.8 million had been embezzled by the TMA officials from the account of daily wagers of the TMA. The cheques of daily wagers were directly encashed from the banks instead of depositing them in the accounts of employees.
According to the TMA members, the official record shows that Rs160 million bitumen was purchased for the patchwork of city roads, but the amount was embezzled which was evident from the fact that nothing was spent for the purchase of crushed-stones and other material for the patchwork.
The TMA higher-ups, they said, received over Rs100 million bribes from the contractors of building fee, transfer of property fee and allotment of other contracts in the city areas during last couple of years.
Moreover, they pointed out that the expenditure of fuel for official vehicles had raised from Rs500,000 to Rs1.5 million (on a fortnight basis) immediately Mr Cheema took over the charge.
They claimed that the contract of publicity on the Samundri Road was awarded to a beverage firm without inviting tenders and fulfilling other formalities. While the hoarding of a lubricant company was exempted from the publicity tax after the officials’ concerned received illegal gratification.
They said the NAB authorities during different inquiries had found tax superintendent Ghulam Rasool involved in financial irregularities and directed the TMA city to suspend him from service. But the TMA bosses deputed him as TMA coordinator.
They alleged that the TMA officials had illegally approved a building plan of a beverage factory without entering it in the official record and caused Rs3 million loss to the treasury. Later, the company paid thousands of rupees fine and approved the plan.
Meanwhile, the audit teams of the Local Fund Audit and the Punjab government had unearthed several financial scams in the TMA city and sought action against officials concerned. But no step has been taken by the officials at the helm so far.
They further claimed that the Prime Minister’s Inspection Team visited the TMA to check the official record and monitor progress on the complaints of councillors and citizens. But the officers refused to accommodate the team members and forced them to leave the premises, they added.
The regulation committee chairman told this correspondent that he had resigned from the TMA’s seat in protest against corruption and indifferent attitude of the higher authorities, but the district nazim refused to accept his resignation and directed him to continue the task.
The TMA members have demanded that President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other higher authorities should take the matter seriously.
When contacted, City Nazim Mumtaz Ali Cheema denied the charges and said some elements were levelling charges against him. He said a record development was done during his tenure.
|
|
|
|
