PESHAWAR, May 17: The use of official cars, telephones and airconditioners by the officers of the provincial health secretariat, who are not entitled to avail of these facilities under the prescribed rules, have been causing losses to the public exchequer, sources said on Saturday.

According to the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD)’s rules, only those officers who are working in BPS-18 and above, are entitled to use theses facilities, but officers, working even in BPS-17 have been availing these facilities, in health secretariat, thus, causing losses to the department.

The health secretariat has a total of 16 vehicles of different brand and make, whereas the number of officers entitled to use cars, is only seven, including health minister. Two of these vehicles, one Land Cruiser and one Toyota Corrolla is being used by the health minister.

Secretary health, who is basically a BPS-19 officer, but has been working against the post of BPS-20 and has at his disposal three vehicles, one Land Cruiser, one Toyota Corrolla and one Suzuki Khyber.

Similarly, there are two BPS-19 officers and three officers of BPS-18. The total number legally used vehicles should be seven, but the secretariat has a total 16 vehicles, which are used by the section officers (SOs) of BPS-17.

Chief of the Health Sector Reform Unit (HRSU), who is basically a BPS-17 medical officer, but has a Balino car and a Rocky jeep in his use.

These officers, the sources, said have been claiming fuel as well as maintenance charges from the government. Each vehicle has one official driver.

Similarly, the use of telephone and airconditioners by the officers have been causing huge losses to the department, said the sources, adding that the department had to pay a large amount in telephone and electricity bills.