VEHARI, May 22: District Coordination Officer (DCO) Babar Hasan Bharwana has formed a three-member committee to investigate into alleged embezzlement of Citizen Community Boards (CCBs) funds. All the CCB accounts have been frozen till the completion of the inquiry.
Dawn learnt millions were distributed among influential and close associate of the district government officials through CCB projects.
A source said the Soach CCB drew Rs4.2 million from the bank without even starting work on its schemes. The CCB planned the construction of a hall, a toilet block, a boundary wall and five classrooms in the Government High School 34/WB. The estimated amount of the schemes stood at Rs8.1 million and the CCB deposited Rs1.6 million as its share and got released Rs2.6 million as the first instalment from the government’s share. On May 15, the Soach CCB had only Rs1,382 in its bank accounts while work had not been started on any scheme.
The brother of District Naib Nazim Yousaf Kasalia and CCB Committee Convenor Irfan Daha have allegedly got released Rs40 million during the fiscal year for their CCB schemes.
Mr Bharwana ordered to review all the ongoing CCB schemes and informed the local government secretary about the decision.
Community Development Executive District Officer Inayatullah Fani said he and other officers would visit all the sites of CCB projects and submit a report in a few days. The CCB committee convener said the delay in construction work of CCB projects had created the controversy otherwise there was no issue of embezzlement in the funds.
District Nazim Syed Shahid Mehdi said he favoured action against those who were involved in irregularities of funds.
Social Welfare District Officer Rai Akhtar Azhar admitted dozens of CCBs had been registered in the past against the law.
Up to 590 CCBs are registered in Vehari. The allegations of embezzlement against CCBs are eye-opener for the Devolution Trust Community Empowerment that is campaigning for the formation of CCBs and proper utilisation of funds. DTCE spokesman Muhammad Waseem talking to Dawn through telephone said CCBs could not be corruption free hundred per cent.