QUETTA: The Public Account Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly was informed by the secretary of finance on Tuesday that 7,000 redundant posts in different departments are being abolished while 2,900 new jobs would be created during the current financial year.

The PAC meeting presided over by its Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen reviewed the appropriation accounts for the fiscal year 2021-22. The committee observed that a huge amount was allocated in the budget, but out of that amount Rs1.4 billion was not utilised in time. The committee described it as insufficient budget preparation and a weakness of the department.

Zabit Ali Reki and other members spoke on the weakness and wrong planning of the department concerned and termed the failure to spend such a big amount promptly unfair and injustice with the masses.

The secretary of finance Babar Khan, while informing the committee about the abolition of redundant posts in various departments said that these posts were not needed. However, 2900 new posts created in different departments will be filling up on the merit.

2,900 new jobs will be created in current financial year

“Steps are being taken to speed up the work on development projects which were included in the current budget,” he told the meeting and acknowledged staffing shortages in district treasury offices and said these shortcomings would be addressed.

The committee expressed concern about departments requesting excess funds, surrendering budgets late, and failing to act against unauthorised allowances.

They requested explanations for various budget allocations during the Covid-19 period, especially for grants-in-aid and the continuation of budgets in education sectors of various districts despite school closures.

In its audit review for fiscal year 2022-23, the committee directed several departments to discontinue extra allowances being given to employees and ordered the recovery of Rs129 million in unauthorised allowances.

Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen emphasised the importance of PAC and instructed the finance secretary to ensure well-prepared representation in future meetings.

The members of Public Accounts Committee, Zabit Ali Reki, Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, Rahmat Saleh Baloch, assembly secretary Tahir Shah Kakar, finance secretary Babar Khan, DG of Audit Shuja Ali, AG of Balochistan Nasarullah Jan, additional secretary of PAC Siraj Lehri, additional secretary of law Saeed Iqbal, DG of finance Saifullah Mengal, and chief accounts officer Syed Muhammad Idrees attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024