SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif makes much fuss over corruption and governance. But when it comes to the internal situation, corruption is as rampant as it was before his era. Fore example, Report of the Auditor General of Pakistan on the accounts of the Punjab Government for audit year 2013-14 make quite interesting, alarming as well as concerning reading to say the least. Besides pointing financialindiscipline and irregularities, the report also highlights the indifferent attitude of the administrative departments towards submission of the relevant record of their financial expenditures to the audit teams at the time of auditing of their accounts , indulging in dilly dallying tactics and showing no respect at all to follow the rules and regulations, resort to strict financialdiscipline and ensure strong and effective internal control in respect of spending of the public money.
In general, the report has identified total failure in as many as 12 areas including maintenance of records, delegation of powers, purchase handling and storing, contract administration and execution, inventory management of tools and equipments, payroll procedures, fraud awareness, asset management, budgeting and financial control, purchase procedure, appointments and extension procedures and utilization of grants and development funds.
Critical accounting areas, according to the report, which needed special attention of the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (who handle and operate the public money) are receipts, payroll, stocks and stores, contracts for construction works, loans and advances, public procurement and adherence to rules and regulations.
Audit paras about the financial management and handing of the public money by the administrative departments, covered in the report, still make more interesting, alarming and horrible reading showing ruthless spending of the public money without caring much about rules and regulations in quite irresponsible responsible without having any fear about being made accountable sooner or later. And it is responsibility of the Chief Minister to give them an exemplary punishment.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
