ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to get the National Assembly’s approval for funds that were lapsing before settling the accounts.

The committee was reviewing appropriation of accounts related to the ministry in which Rs30.277 million of grant money was surrendered.

Similarly, grant money amounting to Rs7.2 million had lapsed, either due to vacant posts or strict austerity measures.

Besides recommending the grant for settlement, the PAC asked the ministry to improve its financial management.

Reviews appropriation of accounts in which over Rs30 million of grant money has been surrendered

Reviewing the Audit Report 2021-22, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Noor Alam Khan directed Secretary Ministry of Education and Professional Education Waseem Ajmal to hold inquiries and fix responsibilities related to various objections raised by the office of the auditor general.

Some glaring objections concerned non-execution of components of Covid-19 worth Rs1.35 billion, unavailability of record and advance payment relating to procurement of hygiene kits worth Rs620.96 million, unauthorised accumulation of pension contribution without framing of regulations worth Rs72.699 million, not maintaining stock register for teaching and learning material worth Rs72.186 million and irregular award of contract for procurement of teaching and learning material worth Rs72.186 million.

Some of the other irregularities pointed out in the audit report included irregular payment of Rs12.907 million from student funds, non-reconciliation of tuition and admission fee amounting to Rs8.297 million and substandard purchase of computers worth Rs9.037 million.

The PAC demanded the education ministry to provide record of audit concerning procurement of textbooks from private publishers worth Rs31.578 million.

It also expressed dissatisfaction over irregular functioning of private educational institutions without registration.

The committee observed that 186 private education institutions were functioning in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) without obtaining registration certificates from the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira).

The meeting learnt that the private educational institutions had applied for registration but Peira had yet to award them recognition.

The PAC maintained that it was not acceptable that private educational institutions in the capital were functioning in violation of Peira rules.

The committee, therefore, directed that investigation should be carried out in the matter and responsibility fixed after it rejected a reply from the education ministry, which said that Peira was vigorously pursuing the registration process of the private educational institutions.

The PAC refused Waseem Ajmal’s request for a hearing on these issues after its members expressed displeasure over incomplete documentation.

The committee sought explanation from the ministry in two weeks.

Besides, the PAC chairman directed the education ministry to furnish complete record of recruitments.

Similar directions were given to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) secretary, who was asked to present details of recruitments carried out in the last 10 years in the next meeting.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2023