ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal has decided that ground physical verification of works would be mandatory before funds for the development projects were approved.

Sources in the engineering wing of the CDA said it had been decided that the chairman office would not accord any approval for fund release until physical verification was carried out by the member inspection.

The sources said a few days ago, through a letter, the decision was conveyed to the engineering wing.

“It has been observed that cases for the payments/funds and releases of security related to development projects/work including rehabilitation and maintenance works are processed and placed before the CDA Chairman by the concerned formation of the authority for approval. In order to ensure transparency, keep check and balance and to asses on ground status of the work, it has been desired by Chairman that physical verification of the projects/works shall be carried out prior to required approval from the Chairman,” read the letter.

It said: “This verification will be done through Member Inspections, CDA who on receipt of such cases from the Office of Chairman, shall depute a team to conduct site visit. The report will be submitted to the Chairman confirming the physical progress achieved at site correlating the same within the financial demand.”

It was also decided that cases will be processed within three days.

It is relevant to note that some directorates of the CDA a few years ago conducted development projects worth billions of rupees without calling tenders and works were done through quotations basis.

A committee is probing the multi-billion scam and it is also alleged that during the probe duplication payment cases could also surface.

Sources said the CDA chairman, to avoid any controversy related to payments, decided to get the physical verification of works done for approving release of funds for any development projects.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2023