LAHORE: The government has initiated disciplinary action under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act-2006 against a retired medical superintendent of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, for awarding a contract in sheer violation of the rules and regulations.

Action was taken against Dr Noman Mutloob after Chief Minister Usman Buzdar accorded approval to the recommendations of an inquiry report which held the ex-MS guilty of the charges.

The chief minister also ordered withholding of 20 percent pension of Dr Mutloob for a period of three years.

Management and professional development department (MPDD) Secretary Nadeem Irshad Kiyani had conducted the probe against the retired BS-20 MS (last posted as principal medical officer at the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore) on the directions of the chief minister.

As per the charge sheet, Dr Mutloob, being MS was not competent to extend the contract of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s canteen. “The extension on the basis of contract for the year 2015-16 was not valid as per the PPRA rules, while the same for another year was not covered under any rules/policy of the government”.

Contrary to the PPRA rules, canteen contract was awarded through open bidding without conducting the technical evaluation of the bidders, while the tender fee register and tender fee amounting to Rs37,000 was also not deposited with the government treasurer.

The Rs300,00 bid security for bidders was also not shown to the probe committee.

The report also found him guilty of violation of rules, inefficiency and misconduct.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020