Senate body directed to resolve Rs704mn corruption cases in USC

ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas on Thursday was directed for earlier resolution of Rs 704 million corruption and embezzlement cases in Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of Pakistan in all regions of the country.

Briefing the committee, a senior official of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) of Pakistan informed the committee that in total 124 cases of corruption in all regions of USC, amounting to Rs 285 million in Punjab, Rs 34 million in Sindh, Rs 17 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Rs 368 million in Balochistan were unearthed.

The meeting of committee was chaired by Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar in parliament house Islamabad.

Regarding the scam of Rs. 368 million involving USC employees of Balochistan region, he said that all 10 employees had been terminated from their services.

He said that USC had filed cases in every region against the employees, who were involved in corruption and embezzlement.

The official said that USC would pursue the corruption cases which were pending with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

On the occasion Managing Director (MD) USC Waseem Mukhtar Chaudhry said, "we have initiated different projects to open franchise and Mobile Utility Stores in less developed areas of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit Baltistan (GB), South Punjab and far areas of Balochistan Province.

He said USC has been providing equal job opportunities to all regions of the country.

USC is committed to provide facility to less developed areas like settled areas and in this regard lot of projects were initiated, adding because of security situation in FATA and other areas of Balochistan, difficulties were faced in completion of these projects.

He added, "We need more resources and coordination from security agencies as well to revive and complete these projects in far flung areas.

MD USC said that our policy revolves around providing cheaper and quality items to low income people.

Waseem said that USC was committed to ensure the quality of products in its stores all over the country in a transparent manner.

He said maintaining quality of its products was its priority, and the USC was engaging professionally qualified firms for quality test of the items.

On the occasion, the committee directed Department of Explosives to maintain transparency and accountability and follow the rules while giving licence to the people.

Senator Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel, Samina Abid, Mrs. Rubina Irfan and officials from Ministry of Industries and Production attended the meeting.