Loot sale on OGDCL public Vehicles

Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has sold public vehicles on a price lower than a bicycle could be purchased. A 2008 model Toyota was sold on 1000 rupees and 2009 model Toyota on 4000 rupees only. The information was disclosed by the representative of OGDCL on a question moved by Naeema Kishwar Khan in a meeting of Public accounts Committee (PAC) held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The Acting Managing Director (MD) Muhammad Rafi told committee that 171 vehicles were given on buy back and 154 on retirement and no public vehicle has ever been soled to the employee since its establishment. He said that vehicles were given according to the policy of institute which is depreciation amount as 10 percent on original cost of the vehicle after 5 years. Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang in his remarks said that I have personally seen more than 8 public vehicles in the custody of one government officer that shows how they distribute the public property. He said the case should be referred to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation. Mian Abdul Manan said that anybody in Pakistan desired to purchase a vehicle for 1000 rupees. Chairman Committee Syed Khursheed Shah said that Government owns 75 percent share in OGDCL so this is the responsibility of the board to consider the government view as well while making any policy. The Managing Director said that PAC has previously declared the Board of Directors (BOD) of OGDCL competent enough to run the matters and this vehicle policy is approved by that board. On that Syed Naveed Qamar said that having powers dose not mean to put responsibility aside, there is no doubt that board has powers but that does not mean that it may use these powers unlawfully. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended the OGDCL board to review the policy and end this nonsense policy as enough of the public money has been looted by official of different departments. PAC also recommends to review the public vehicles policy of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGL). Committee recommended modifications in the vehicle policy of OGDCL and suggest introducing the policy of monetization and auction of the public vehicle instead of selling on low price to the employees.

personally know officers who have more than 8 cars they got for different projects

 Syed Naveed Qamar

We accept that board of directors have powers but that should not be used in unlawful manner

 Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopang

If board prepare any wrong policies it should held responsible for them.