Housing and works secretary knows no rules

FGEHF being pressurised to pay Rs 700 million to contractor of Bhara Kahu Housing Scheme in violation of SC orders

The Secretary Housing and Works has directed the FGEHF to pay Rs 700 million to the contractor of Bhara Kahu Housing Scheme in violation of the direction of the Supreme Court, policy decision of the Executive Committee of the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) and against the interest of the applicants.

Sources said that the Secretary has not taken the Minister for State for Housing and Works into confidence on the matter and pressing hard to the FGEHF to get approval of release of Rs 700 million from the MOS, who has refused to give approval and expressed his grave concern.

State Minister for Housing and Works, Barrister Usman Ibrahim has taken serious notice of the Secretary’s decision and asked him to refrain from such decisions, which are violation of the Supreme Court and not in the favour of general public who has deposited their money many years ago.

In his letter to the Secretary in this regard, copy of which was also sent to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on 28th February, he expressed his grave concern on the matter and said that the Secretary, (who is working on additional charge basis) is by-passing the Minister of State in various cases, violating the rules and regulations and making decision at its own.

Sources said that following the directions of the Supreme Court, the Executive Committee of the FGEHF in its meeting on  29 July 2013 had  taken a policy decision that the payment will be released to the contractors in six installments against specified measurable targets on site. First installment of Rs 121 million was paid to the contractor. The DG FGEHF was asked to implement the decision of the Supreme Court in letter and spirit. Sources said that despite release of Rs 121 million, the contractors did not mobilized machinery and not started work there. The Ministry filed a contempt of court case in the Supreme Court that the contractor is violating the directions of the court for not clubbing payment with measurable targets.

The letter further stated that the Secretary called a meeting of the FGEHF on 24thFeb 2014 without agenda and formed sub- committee, by overruling the earlier decision of the Committee and the Court. He called the meeting of the sub- committee on 26th Feb 2014 and sought adjournment of the case before SC against the contractor filed by the Ministry.

The letter stated “it is apprehended that a ploy in the shape of sub -committee has been used to bail out the contractor from fulfilling its commitment to receive payment against measurable targets.

Sources further said that the MoS has categorically directed DG FGEHF not to settle the issue out of court and to pursue contempt of court proceedings in the SC.

Official Sources further told that the copy of the agenda of sub committee meeting held on 26th Feb was not provided to the MoS despite his requests and orders to the Secretary H & W.

The letter said any departure from the decision of the Supreme Court and payment schedule decided by the Executive Committee of the FGEHF on 29th July 2013 in six installments, will open a new Pandora box. The PM has been requested to look into the attitude of the secretary who is taking decision without following rules and regulation and violating SC orders, the sources added.

Sources said that the Minister wants early start of construction there but a lobby is creating hurdles to further delay the scheme and using delaying tactics and minister is also being by passed.