The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has detected misappropriation, irregularities, mismanagement and operational inefficiencies of over Rs 93 billion in Pakistan Railways. The audit report on the accounts of Pakistan Railways for audit year 2016-17, a copy of which is available with Business Recorder, revealed 12 cases of theft of material valuing Rs 178 million.
The report noted that Railways land valuing Rs 68.071 billion has been encroached upon. The AGP recommended that director (property & land) should make arrangement in collaboration with the inspector general of Railways police for removal of all encroachments and executing agreements with the occupants for recovery of cost of land/rental charges besides taking necessary corrective action in respect of all the deficiencies regarding title of the land. Each embezzlement case of Railways revenue, shortage and theft of material should be investigated at an appropriate level for fixing of responsibility and taking remedial measures to avoid recurrence.
The report pointed out that PSDP funds amounting to Rs 14.715 billion were not utilized by Railways management while the recoverable amount remained Rs 3.887 billion. The report detected various financial irregularities valuing Rs 2.622 billion during audit of Project of Rehabilitation of Signalling System (LON-SDR). It noticed blockage of capital of Rs 1.24 billion due to non-disposal of scrap. Short recovery of Rs 480.08 million on account of electricity charges was pointed out in the report.
The report observed that an amount of Rs 302.49 million was paid as overtime allowance without any justification while loss on account of theft/deficiency of material worth Rs 132.72 million was observed.
PR sustained a loss of Rs 123.81 million on account of burning and damages of rolling stock due to negligence of the management, while it suffered a loss of Rs 33.49 million due to leasing out of Railways land at cheap rates. The report observed unauthorized mutation of Railways land, worth Rs 39.06 million, while 13 contract employees were promoted irregularly and financial benefits of higher scale amounting to Rs 18.87 million were extended to them. An amount of Rs 9.75 million was not recovered on account of LD charges. Further irregular/ unauthorized depositing of Railways earnings in private account amounting to Rs 7.92 million was observed while in seven cases auditable record was not provided for scrutiny.
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