KARACHI, July 1: The Sindh government failed to utilise Rs12 billion till the end of financial year 2006-07.

Briefing journalists at the AG office, Additional Advocate-General Zai Khan and Sajid Ali said Rs12 billion stood lapsed in the outgoing financial year which was Rs39 billion less than the funds lapsed in the previous financial year (2005-06). They said that of 29,000 bills received at the AG office in June, 25,000 were cleared while the rest were left for want of formalities.

A few days before the closing year, the AG office had received a request for release of development funds from the finance department and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, they said. However, the request was not approved and it was returned with the note that the development funds could not be utilised in three or four days.

On the directives of President Pervez Musharraf, the AG Sindh had sent letter to the chief secretary and all 30 departments to send cases of the government functionaries, who were going to retire within the next six months, so that their cases of provident fund and pensions could be prepared in advance. But, they said, the AG office did not get any response from the departments.

Referring to the case of Prof Jakhrani, they said he could not get pension as the education department did not send his case even after a lapse of three years.They said there were over 500 employees whose cases had not been sent even after 14 months of their retirement. As per directive of the Supreme Court, the AG office was required to clear the pension and provident fund cases within 15 days of their submission. On Fridays, open kutchehry is held at the AG office for speedy disposal of cases.