Key Takeaways
- The Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee-I (PAC-I) expressed serious concern over delays in recovering outstanding dues and financial irregularities.
- Key issues include non-recovery of electricity charges, failure to auction university canteens, and late approval for allowances.
- Committee directed authorities to establish a clear and transparent financial management system.
The Punjab Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee-I (PAC-I) has raised serious concerns over financial irregularities in the higher education sector of public universities. The committee, chaired by Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain Chhachhar, reviewed audit observations for the Higher Education Department and its attached institutions during a meeting on Tuesday.
During the detailed examination, key issues such as the payment of late sitting allowance, dean/chairman allowance, and mobile allowance without approval from the Chancellor were highlighted. The committee also noted cases involving non-recovery of outstanding dues from officers and students, financial losses due to failure in auctioning university canteens and commercial shops.
Further audit objections included pending recoveries from the Layyah Sub-Campus, procurement of steel without GST invoices, delayed deposit of principal amounts and profits, non-recovery of electricity charges from contractors, and failure to collect rent for guest house rooms. These issues were discussed with officials of the Higher Education Department and university administrations.
The committee voiced strong concern over delays in recovering outstanding amounts and directed authorities to establish a clear and transparent financial management system to eliminate ambiguities and improve accountability. Strict instructions were issued for early recovery of pending dues, with several cases given a 30-day deadline.
Committee members Javed Alauddin Sajid, Rao Kashif Rahim Khan, Rais Nabeel Ahmad, Mian Yawar Zaman, Wilayat Shah, Rana Munawar Hussain, and Rukhsana Kausar, MPAs, attended the meeting. Secretary Higher Education, vice chancellors of relevant universities, and representatives from audit and finance departments also participated.
The PAC-I held detailed deliberations on each audit observation to ensure thorough examination and resolution. The committee issued instructions for disposing of audit paragraphs recommended by the Audit Department for settlement accordingly.
