KARACHI, Jan 19: A spokesman for the DCO Secretariat, City District Government Karachi, has clarified a news item appearing in a section of the press, regarding postponement of the opening of tenders in respect of seven works of development of parks/ greenery and beautification.
In the clarification issued on Wednesday evening, the spokesman said that the opening of tenders was postponed a couple of hours before in view of reported pooling/irregularities in respect of tendering for these projects, scheduled for Jan 18 at 2:30p.m.
According to the spokesman, the action was initiated in view of the strict instructions/directives of the City Nazim Karachi for ensuring transparency and fairness in all the tendering process.
The spokesman said it was unfortunate that despite fixation of the new date for opening of the tender for these seven works as Feb 2 for which a proper corrigendum/advertisement was released/ published, no contact was made with the concerned officials in the DCO Secretariat or even the Coordination / Implementation Cell, City Nazim Secretariat or even the District Officer (Parks and Horticulture), CDGK, in this regard.
With regard to the transfer or placing under suspension of the former District Officer (P&H), the spokesman said these orders were not issued by the District Coordination Officer Karachi or the City District Government Karachi.
It is worth mentioning that the transfer of the District Officer (P&H) was notified on Jan 4 whereas the suspension orders were issued on Jan 12 by the Government of Sindh, the spokesman concluded.
PROBE INITIATED: The Director-General, Provincial Local Government Commission, Government of Sindh, has sent a letter to the National Accountability Bureau (Sindh) seeking investigation into allegations of lavish expenditure incurred by the City District Government on model parks.
In the letter, the DG SLGC stated that the commission had been receiving complaints regarding misuse of funds in the construction of model parks by the CDGK.
On the basis of these complaints, it is apprehended that huge loss to the public exchequer has been made and millions have gone in the drain, the DG Sindh Local Government Commission said in his letter.
The Commission sought that NAB Sindh may take cognizance of the matter and take necessary action. It may be mentioned here that on Jan 4, the Sindh Government through a letter had issued orders for posting of Masood Alam, a grade 19 officer as DO Parks from where DO Parks Liaquat Ali was transferred and posted as DO Implementation City Government.
However, the transfer of Liaquat Ali was opposed by City Nazim who approached Chief Secretary for retaining him on the same post. However, on January 12 orders were issued from Chief Secretary's office for suspension of Liaquat on alleged charges of corruption and misuse of funds.
On Jan 14, Liaquat Ali was not only posted as DO Implementation but also given additional charge of model parks, mega parks, green-belts, etc., and also powers to use the discretionary funds.
On Jan 18 Liaquat Ali tried to open tenders for various parks and development schemes which were cancelled by the DCO Karachi through a letter. Taking notice of serious irregularities in this regard, the Sindh Local Government Commission on Wednesday wrote a letter to the NAB Sindh, seeking an investigation into the same for further action. -APP