MIANWALI: The health department, Mianwali, is to recover more than Rs 5million from its employees who were promoted illegally, in violation of rules, and the amount is being drawn as perk from the date of their promotion.

The issue of illegal promotions by the District Health Authority surfaced when this paper carried a report on Oct 8, 2018. The health department directed the chief executive officer (health), Mianwali, to conduct a probe.

The CEO constituted a four-member inquiry committee headed by Dr Mohammad Rafiqe Khan, District Health Officer. The inquiry confirmed irregularities in promotion of staff from grades 6 to 16. The inquiry committee recommend that all promotions/upgrade orders be withdrawn immediately and the overpaid amount be recovered.

The Regional Audit Office in Sargodha said the illegal promotions in Mianwali caused a loss of Rs 5.160 million to the exchequer during 2018-19 fiscal.

Contrary to the report of the inquiry committee and the auditor, no responsible officials who allowed illegal promotions were proceeded against.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2019