Islamabad, February 14, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Senate Committee deliberated on the illegal construction/encroachment in government residences. Asfaq Ghuman, Sr. Joint Secretary ministry of Housing and works, apprised the committee that no construction in government residences could be done without the prior approval from ministry. However, a committee has been constituted in the Estate office which has conducted survey of residences and issued notices to the allottee’s involved in illegal construction. The Chairman Committee directed the ministry to provide the list of allotees to whom the notices have been issued and recommended the departments of alleged allotees to take stern action against them under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules.
Moreover, as to matter relating to appointments made by FGEHA during the last two years. Zeeshan Qasim, Director Admin, informed the committee that the jobs in various positions were advertised last year and recruitment process was conducted through NUST and NTS testing services. Senator Saifullah Abro asked the ministry to provide copy of advertisement and tender through which the services of former agencies have been acquired.
However, the ministry failed to provide the same. Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan questioned as to how many persons have been appointed in recent period. To which, Director Admin told the committee that 95 persons have been appointed against the 97 advertised posts. The Chairman Committee stated that these appointments have been made without following due process and therefore directed the ministry to initiate inquiry against the persons appointed against the said posts.
The Committee was also briefed about the Budgetary proposals relating to Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the financial year 2023-24. Sr. Joint Secretary for Ministry of Housing and Works apprised the committee that a total of 413 projects have been selected for the year 2023-24 which includes 149 ongoing projects,20 approved unfunded projects,244 new Projects and the estimated cost of these projects is around Rs. 344,767.271 Million.
Senator Saifullah Abro questioned as to why the nominal amount has been fixed for the development schemes in Larkana, Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad Division. Officials told that the reduction in funds allocation is mainly because the government has curtailed the PSDP budget to great extent. The Chairman Committee recommended the ministry to increase the budget allocation for the aforementioned projects.
The meeting was attended by Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Falak Naz, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Maulana Abdul Wasay, Secretary for Ministry of Housing and Works Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Senior Joint Secretary for Ministry of Housing and Works Muhammad Ashfaq Ghumman, Director Admin Zeeshan Qasim and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in attendance.
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