Lahore:
An audit report revealed that the Punjab finance department has not disclosed more RS2 billion funds reserved for the development of the sugar cane sector in the last provincial budget in violation of sugar cane rules (development) of the PENDJAB, 1964.
According to the rules, a fund – the sugar cane development fund – is created in each district of the province. The fund of each district is operated by the DCO concerned.
The Finance Department publishes Funds with respective DCOs after deduction of 10% of the Total Cess collection for the Sugar Cane Research and Development Council of 2% of collection fees.
According to the report by the verifier general of Pakistan, he performed during the audit of the civil accounts of the Finance Department in June 2023 according to which there was a responsibility of RS20,335,026 047 under “G-11212-Deposits on Sugar Doved Development Cess Fund”. “The punjab rod commissioner had filed an amount of RS5,090,152 163 in account – I for the purposes of the subsequent distribution of funds.
“Although the Finance Department has not released the Payment Authority, the Dao Faisalabad and Vehari made payments of 55,286,766 and Rs. 28,682,577 respectively.”
In addition, 2% recovery costs were not incorporated into the budget either. The auditor said he was of the opinion that the lance occurred due to low administrative and financial checks. He indicated that the case had been reported to the administrative service and at a meeting of the Ministry’s Accounts Committee (DAC) held on January 30, 2025, it was decided that the para should be maintained unanswered until the SOP / policies are formulated in consultation with the stakeholders.
“Regarding the remaining paras, or no response was received or a CAD meeting convened until the finalization of this report despite the issuance of reminders in November and December 2024.”
The audit recommended an appropriate allowance and use of the sugar cane development fund, in accordance with the specific rules. “”[These allocations and utilizations] are imperative to ensure that the planned development projects are carried out effectively and transparent, “he added.
