NA body directs PCRET to probe embezzlement case

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday directed the concerned ministry to probe and take action against officials who had caused losses to the public exchequer in the construction of the Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) building and said it would not let the embezzlement case be hushed up. The recommendation of the committee wabased upon the findings of a sub-committee, comprising Member of National Assembly (MNA) Anusha Rehman and MNA Zafar Beg Bhittani, about embezzlement in the construction of the PCRET building. The committee had submitted its report a few months back and the committee meeting, chaired by Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) MNA Khanzada Abdul Kadir, was also briefed about PCRET projects related to renewable energy solutions. Taking up the issue of embezzlement, the chairman said the building’s construction had caused losses of Rs 180 million and the amount and the act would not be allowed to be hushed up and all those found guilty would be held accountable. He directed the Ministry of Science and Technology, of which PCRET is a subsidiary organisation, to probe into the issue and report to the committee in the next meeting regarding details of the actions taken against involved persons.
Meanwhile, expressing dissatisfaction over the performance of PCRET, the committee directed it to involve the private sector in its activities helping the country resolve its energy crisis. “The PCRET has failed to improve its functioning despite directions from the committee given a year back in this regard”, Kadir said. The committee said the PCRET may expand its network of micro hydel power plants, small wind tribunes and solar and biogas plants in the country and offer its expertise to the provinces to help reduce the energy crisis.
PCRET Director General Zafar Iqbal Khokhar briefed the committee about the mandate, scope of activities and achievements of the PCRET. He said that various PCRET projects remained incomplete due to unavailability of funds.