The National Highway Authority (NHA) has failed to collect fines amounting to Rs 171.60 million in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10, the 2010-11 audit report of the Ministry of Communication revealed on Friday.
The report available with Pakistan Today said the consolidated statement of fine amount provided by National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) for the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 had indicated a difference of Rs 171.60 million between the fine imposed and the fine collected by NHA.
“Under rule 6 of the Road Maintenance Fund, the NH&MP imposes fine on violators of traffic rules on the motorways and highways, while the amount of fine imposed is collected by the National Highway Authority (NHA),” the report said. It said the total fine imposed by NH&MP in 2008-09 and 2009-10 amounted to Rs 2.839 billion, while the amount collected was Rs 2.667 billion.
The “audit considers that less collection of amount of fine has deprived the exchequer of over Rs 171 million. While, this points out a weak internal control environment in the two organisations, it may actually involve an opportunity for leakage of public funds,” the report added. “In response to the observation, the management replied that National Highways and Motorway Police was only a fine imposing agency, whereas the responsibility of collection of fine rested with NHA.
Audit considered the reply unsatisfactory because reconciliation between both organisations was mandatory under rule 77 of FTR,” said the audit report.