Punjab suffers financial loss of millions due to vehicle misuse by officials

LAHORE, MAY 29 (DNA): Significant infringements in the Punjab Services and General Administration Department’s (S&GAD) official vehicle allocation, costing the provincial treasury more than Rs9.09 million, have been discovered in a special audit.

The audit report for the fiscal year 2022–2023 shows that government automobiles were given to people who weren’t eligible for them under the 2008 official transport policy. Vehicle entitlements according to rank and designation are clearly defined in the policy. Nevertheless, auditors discovered that a number of vehicles were allocated to junior officials and officers on special assignment, which was against these rules.

In many instances, vehicles with engine capacities beyond the approved limit were allotted, further compounding the breach of rules. The misuse led to inflated expenses on fuel, repair, and maintenance, culminating in an unjustified expenditure of Rs9,095,063.

The auditors cited weak internal control mechanisms and administrative negligence as the root causes. Despite audit observations being issued in August and September 2023, the department failed to respond. Follow-up reminders also went unheeded. A meeting of the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) convened on January 31, 2024, reviewed a portion of the audit points but left several key issues unresolved. No subsequent meetings were held, and no progress has been reported since.

This is not the first instance of such irregularities. A previous audit for 2017–18 had highlighted a similar misuse of official transport, resulting in a reported loss of Rs20.10 million. The recurrence of these practices indicates systemic flaws and a lack of institutional accountability within the department.

The audit report calls for a thorough probe, initiation of disciplinary proceedings against those responsible, and immediate institutional reforms to curb further misuse of public assets.