ISLAMABAD: Directorate General Audit in its initial audit objections has pointed out several alleged irregularities in the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) in the fiscal year 2023-24.

The audit office has requested Peira to furnish replies of all audit objections within two weeks so that the matter could be placed before the Departmental Account Committee (DAC).

The audit objections include payment of Rs1.44 million to three officers of authority as daily allowance for visiting private schools for inspection purposes.

Peira is a regulatory body of only Islamabad-based schools. The authority’s secretary, account officer and research officer received Rs480,000 each for visiting schools located in Islamabad.

The audit pointed out that daily allowance is only admissible on outstation visits and not home station visits.

Directorate General Audit seeks replies from authority within two weeks

The auditor also pointed out that the authority paid Rs293,055 dated 02-11-2023 to a five start hotel in Islamabad for accommodation of then interim education minister, Madad Ali Sindhi, with his family from 18-08-2023 to 24-08-2023, on account of accommodation charges.

The auditor said that this expenditure was not obligation of this authority and termed it “waste of public money” and irregular payment.

Similarly, the unpublished (audit objections) report also raised question on work experience of Chairperson Dr Zia Batool when she was appointed for second tenure in MP Scale II, as 17 years of experience in field of education was required.

The audit observed that it seems she does not possess any degree in education at the time of her appointment. Instead she had degrees in social sciences, as she did not provide her PhD in education in 2022 in the high court when her first term was challenged.

The auditor also pointed out that she received substantial amount, over and above the MP-II scale pay and package that has been determined by the federal government.

The auditor stated that she also received daily allowance without any tour programme, which was not admissible without any outstation tour programme. The auditor also raised question marks on TA/DA received by the chairperson for a foreign trip.

Peira team headed by Secretary Javed Iqbal submitted their detailed response to Dawn. They stated that these are “mere” observations and after exit meeting with the federal audit, the finalised observations will consider audit paras for discussion by the DAC to be held in the Ministry of Education.

“The draft represents only the observations of audit officer, which can be proved either right or wrong after review of the replies by the audited body, based on relevant record and documents. Peira has already submitted replies to these observations to the federal audit,” read the response of the authority.

Peira’s reply also stated that it has been working “as per Peira Act 2013 and financial rules and the pay and allowances of staff, members and chairperson of ICT-Peira are strictly in line with its act and other notifications issued by the finance division.

The reply said that the chairperson was appointed by the federal government in accordance with rules and regulations.

Therefore, “Peira rejects all allegations leveled against it. Peira is a small organisation with a mere annual budget of Rs35 million on average,” the reply said, adding that some elements were trying to sabotage credibility of this organisation, which has been making significant progress.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2024