ISLAMABAD: At least 75 investigations into corruption, misuse of powers and on disciplinary grounds are pending with different officers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for long.

Sources said in a number of cases the inquiry officers had been using delaying tactics in finalising the matters. In several important cases, the probes are being held afresh apparently to give benefit to the suspected officials.

The issue of pending inquiries was discussed at a meeting held with Chairman CDA Amer Ali Ahmed in the chair on Thursday.

Inquiry officers at a meeting told to complete cases within a month otherwise disciplinary action would be initiated against them

He directed the officers to complete the inquiries within a month otherwise disciplinary action would be initiated against them and the same would be reflected in their evaluation reports.

“All officers are directed to complete the task within one month. We will not tolerate any unnecessary delay,” said the CDA chairman. He said in some cases inquiry officers had retired and the administration wing was directed to appoint their replacements immediately.

The sources said inquiries into several cases such as phony tree plantation campaigns, cutting of trees, installation of fountains, upgradation of employees, illegal allotment of land/plots, Lake View parking contract, Islamabad Expressway expansion project and Grand Hyatt Hotel were among the pending ones.

The meeting also discussed several other issues such as incomplete degree verification process of CDA employees.

The degree verification of the CDA employees was started in 2011 but so far it could not be completed as some officers were still reluctant to provide their degrees.

The meeting decided that the verification of degrees would be taken up with relevant institutions/departments immediately. The CDA chairman directed that a report should be submitted within a week.

It was also decided that the administration wing would formulate a policy whereby a regular departmental promotion committee (DPC) would be held on an annual basis for all the officers and officials.

Because of the lethargic approach of the departments concerned, CDA officers have to wait for years for their promotion. Currently, the officers of the engineering wing are pursuing their case of promotion but their DPC is not being conducted.

“Promotions of a large number of officers are pending for years but DPC is not being conducted on time,” said an official who requested not to be named.

CDA spokesperson Syed Safdar Ali said during the meeting transportation policy also came under discussion. The participants said there was no uniform policy regarding allocation of vehicles. The chair directed that rules in terms of allocation of vehicles may be prepared and fuel limits according to the category of vehicles should be rationalised.

It was also decided that allocation of vehicles would be made on the basis of seniority, field duty and in accordance with the monetisation rules.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2019