LAHORE, Jan 31: The provincial highway division, Gujranwala, paid Rs89,545 to a contractor after five years on the orders of the Punjab ombudsman. According to a press release, Bashir Ahmad Mughal lodged a complaint with the ombudsman secretariat that he was awarded contract of special repair of Gujranwala-Alipur-Qadirabad Road for an estimated cost of Rs454,258 which was completed within the time limit given in the work order.

The complainant stated that final bill of Rs453,904 was presented to the executive engineer for sanction. However, while making the payment he (executive engineer) withheld Rs89,545 on the grounds of some excess payment made to the previous contractor.

The ombudsman observed that withholding of amount to the complainant tantamount to maladministration.

The ombudsman directed the agency to pay the amount withheld without any reason to the complainant.

The executive engineer informed the ombudsman secretariat on Wednesday that the withheld amount had been paid to the complainant.—APP