A scam at the Allama Iqbal Open University’s (AIOU) transport department was unearthed as its officials have been found involved in selling costly spare parts of the university’s vehicles.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was other day informed that the spare parts of 20 Land Cruisers and Land Rovers, shown as of no use in the AIOU papers, were sold in the black market.
“It is a known fact in the spare parts markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad that AIOU too offers parts of these vehicles comparatively on cheaper rates,” an audit official told the PAC.
During a visit to AIOU, the official added, it looked as if the university has developed a junkyard for offering spare parts to buyers. He said if one cannot find a spare part in the open market, the customer was sent to the university. The official said they were in final stages of AIOU audit and soon a report would be presented before the PAC.
According to sources, the British government long ago gave Land Rovers and Land Cruisers to the university to make its ‘outreach programme’ effective in remote areas. Vehicles remained under use without proper maintenance. Sources said vehicles would be offered to top government officials in complete violation of rules.
As vehicles wear and tear continued, one by one they broke down, and their parts were taken out with alleged connivance of the university’s staff. In past the issue was raised at various forums of the university, but no action was taken. Sources said now only the rusting frames of the vehicles were left, when asked why the university didn’t auction them.
The PAC has taken notice of unauthorised use of government vehicles in the federal government ministries and divisions. The committee has set November 1 as deadline for every federal public sector organisation to submit reports on the status of their vehicles, including how many were sanctioned and which ones were misused.
The PAC has warned that in case of any discrepancy in the reports on misuse of government vehicles, the relevant principal accounting officers would be held responsible and their salaries would be deducted.
interface
Recent Comments