LAHORE, Jan 21: A special audit of the financial affairs of three select previous tehsil municipal administrations in the province conducted under directions by the chief minister has shown irregularities worth millions of rupees.

The TMAs include Faisalabad (City), Jaranwala (Faisalabad) and Jhang. Their audit was conducted by special teams which were headed by officials of Local Fund Audit, Faisalabad, covering period from Aug 2001 to June 2005.

The leading among the three is the Faisalabad City TMA where the special audit report depicts a gloomy picture of the affairs handled by the local government functionaries as well as the elected heads of the local council.

The situation has forced the Punjab Local Government Commission to demand full recovery of all the financial losses from the officials concerned, including the town nazim “whenever he is found guilty.”

According to details given to Dawn here on Sunday, the audit report of Faisalabad (City) TMA found irregularities worth Rs271.798 million. This included embezzlement or misappropriation of Rs1.717 million, losses worth Rs143.240 million, excess payments of Rs11.629 million, and irregular payments to the tune of Rs115.210 million.

The audit report of the Jaranwala TMA indicated irregularities to the tune of Rs73.835 million. This included short recoveries and losses worth Rs52.978 million and excess or irregular payment of Rs20.857 million.

The report indicated alarming situation in the local government. It said that apart from huge financial irregularities, there appeared large scale procedural and regulatory violations.

It said that the elected heads of the local governments as well as staff did not bother to follow relevant laws or rules and regulations related to the local government system.

It alleged that the tehsil nazim, TMO and TO (finance) committed daring financial irregularities and they should be charge-sheeted under the law.

It questioned the role of the resident assistant director audit (pre-audit) who, it said, was responsible for allowing the release of irregular and unlawful expenditure.

The audit report of the Jhang TMA showed irregularities worth Rs18.999 million which included embezzlement of Rs4.735 million, excess payments of Rs7.988 million, short recoveries of Rs843,497, and irregular payments to the tune of Rs5.423 million.