Islamabad, Aug 05: A special audit report (2002-08) has divulged misappropriations, irregularities and excess expenditures in spending involving millions of rupees in the accounts of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).
The report available observed that Rs. 565.18 million released for a development project were invested or transferred to other project accounts irregularly whereas the funds provided for one project can neither be invested nor may be spent for non-development purpose or on the other development projects without the approval of Ministry of Finance and Planning and Development Division.
According to report the Higher Education Commission (HEC) released Rs. 596.78 million for a project "Up-gradation and Strengthen of QAU" during financial years 2002-03 to 2007-08 against PC-I's estimated cost of Rs. 625.78 million. According to PC-I, the project was to start during 2002-03 and was to be completed by 2006-07.
But instead of implementing the project the management of the university invested the funds in Term Deposit Certificates, transferred to other projects, accounts and non-development activities. And the project was still to be completed despite the lapse of scheduled time for completion.
However, the management of the university replied to the audit objections that due to the capacity management issues for such a huge project, the amounts could not be utilized as planned hence these were temporarily transferred when required anywhere else.
The amounts were transferred with the approval of the competent authority to meet the urgent requirements which were re-transferred to their parent account and the action of the management is covered under the clause of 4(t) and 15(2) (a) of the University Act.
The Audit also pointed out irregular investment of Rs. 11.20 million in another development project. It said that the HEC released Rs. 15.76 million for a development project "Master Trainers of Physics Department of QAU" during financial years 2003-04 to 2007-08 against PC-I's estimated cost of Rs.26.17 million. But the management invested Rs.11.20 million in Term Deposit Certificates during financial year 2004-05 and earned profit of Rs. 1.20 million.
The management replied that funds could not be utilized due to poor response from the applicants and as soon the number of applicants increased, the funds were utilized.
Audit of development project "Up-gradation and strengthening of QAU" for the years 2002-03 to 2007-08 revealed that advances of Rs. 2.65 million were paid but neither adjustment nor the purpose for which the advances were paid were available on record. It also highlighted the excess expenditure of Rs. 6.05 million that was incurred by diversion of funds allocated for furniture and fixture and networking.
The report also highlighted the blockage of funds amounting to Rs. 0.54 million by the university administration. It said that the scrutiny of stock register revealed that out of laboratory equipment purchased during September 2007 including quartz plates, discharging coil for 2.0 MHz, quarts windows were found in packed condition.
Audit was of the view that the accessories of the equipment were purchased unnecessarily and public funds amounting Rs. 540,400 ($ 6,755) were blocked. However, the management replied that the equipment was installed, tested and put in operation. The nation.
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