COPA report exposes irregularities in 36 more State institutes

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) tabled its latest report in Parliament yesterday. The report was prepared based on COPA investigations conducted over 36 State institutions between May and October last year.

Among the flaws and recommendations found in the report, COPA has highlighted the Department of Motor Traffic significantly by proposing to connect the existing computer system with the Customs Department to curb false entries made at vehicle registry. COPA has also expressed its concern over missing vehicle registration files pertaining to 597 vehicles where 33 were recovered. 

The COPA has directed the Chief Accounting Officer to submit a report within a month, indicating the methodology adopted to trace the remaining files and a specific timeline in that regard. “The COPA has found out that an officer involved in the questionable activities has been appointed as the Head of the Committee appointed to investigate the disappearance of vehicle fuels. The Motor Traffic Department was summoned before the Committee for four times in the year 2016 due to poor performance. The Committee has warned that it would report to the President and Prime Minister if the Department failed to show positive developments,” the reports stated.

The COPA has also revealed that the information of 164 vehicles does not match with the documents of the Customs. Inquired by the Committee on the incident of registering seven new Prado Jeeps in a fraudulent manner using the Customs Notes for importation of hand tractors, the Accounting Officer has stated that the advice of the Attorney General has been sought to cancel the registration of aforesaid vehicles. The COPA has given directions to complete the disciplinary inquiries against the officers who are connected to this incident within one year. The COPA in its report also observed a loss of Rs. 7.7 million incurred due to the undervaluing of two BMW M-5 vehicles with a cylinder capacity of 4395 CC. The Department has informed that an inquiry in this connection was in progress and had agreed to submit a report in that regard to the Committee. 

 

The Committee also observed that the tax loss caused by the import of 407 Prado type vehicles was approximately Rs. 3 billion. However, the Accounting Officer of the Department had denied the occurrence of any loss, adding that a special committee appointed by the President was investigating on the matter. (AH)