LAHORE: Punjab Ombudsman Javed Mahmood has taken notice of the lapse of Rs3.92 billion of the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), allocated for sewerage schemes in the 2013-14 annual budget, says a handout.

The ombudsman directed the housing secretary and the Wasa managing director to submit a report. The handout said due to the lapse of the amount, nine development schemes in Lahore had been delayed which was maladministration on the part of the officers.

The ombudsman said according to media reports, Wasa had to complete sewerage schemes in Krishanagar, Outfall Road, Karim Park, Bilal Ganj and from Multan Road to Babu Sabu.

The laying of sewerage pipelines from Nika Chowk to Shadiwal, Sher Ali Road in Johar Town and Bus Terminal Thokar Niaz Beg were also delayed while a scheme to replace 13 tubewells in NA-119 and 120 could not be executed due to lapse of funds.

He said Rs500 million were scheduled to be spent on the replacement of drainage pipes in union councils 117, 118, 119 and 120 and scheduled work could not be done in last financial year due to the negligence of Wasa. Similarly, the repair of sewerage pipelines at Block L of Gulburg-III, Poonch Road, Timber Market and Forest Colony was halted.

The ombudsman said people were deprived of the fruits of heavy amount allocated in the budget which was the worst maladministration.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2014