ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: The auditor general of Pakistan has pointed out Rs333.2 million losses caused to the exchequer by ministry of science and technology through irregular expenditures, misappropriation, negligence and violation of rules during 1992-2000, an audit report reveals.
According to the report, the National Institute of Silicon Technology spent Rs471,000 for purchase of computers without any requirement in violation of rules. The report demanded recovery of the amount from those responsible and disciplinary action.
In a case of negligence, the ministry caused a loss of Rs26.318 million due to purchase of machinery without appointment of staff for the Medicinal Botanic Centre at Pakistan Council of Industrial and Scientific Research, Peshawar, due to which the warranty period expired. No action was taken against those responsible despite the case having been pointed out in March 1998.
About Rs2.883 million were lost due to purchase of substandard spectro-lab for Karachi Testing Laboratory.
Another unauthorised spending of Rs1.956 million was made on supply of electricity to the residences of PCSIR officials on lower rates while Rs1.665 million were wasted in purchase of hydraulic dynamometers for central laboratory in Karachi without authorisation.
As many as 154 posts above the sanctioned strength were created and maintained. The irregularity was sought to be condoned by the finance ministry.
Pakistan Swiss Training Centre (PSTC), Karachi, incurred expenditures of Rs4.414 million and Rs9.592 million on purchase of machinery and equipment during
1994-96 and 1996-97 respectively without no objection certificate from the supplies department.
The National Institute of Electronics (NIE) procured machinery and equipment for Rs13.579 million during 1996-97 to 1998-99 without prior concurrence of finance division, which was illegal.
The NIE also transferred Rs13.484 million from assigned accounts to other bank accounts during 1991-95 to avoid lapse of funds without providing details of the expenditures.
Another Rs9.4 million expenses were incurred on construction of demonstration-cum-training laboratories at Skardu without observing the relevant rules and Rs9.245 million were transferred from one account to another in 1995-96 in violation of rules.