Misuse of official vehicles causes over Rs9m loss to Punjab exchequer

LAHORE : A special audit has brought to light glaring violations in the allotment of official vehicles within the Punjab Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), causing a financial dent of more than Rs9.09 million to the provincial treasury.

According to the audit report for the fiscal year 2022–23, government vehicles were allocated to individuals not entitled to such facilities under the official transport policy of 2008. The policy explicitly defines vehicle entitlements based on rank and designation. However, auditors found that several vehicles were assigned to officers on special duty and junior officials, in violation of these stipulations. In many instances, vehicles with engine capacities beyond the approved limit were allotted, further compounding the breach of rules. The misuse led to inflated expenses on fuel, repair, and maintenance, culminating in an unjustified expenditure of Rs9,095,063.

The auditors cited weak internal control mechanisms and administrative negligence as the root causes. Despite audit observations being issued in August and September 2023, the department failed to respond. Follow-up reminders also went unheeded. A meeting of the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) convened on January 31, 2024, reviewed a portion of the audit points but left several key issues unresolved. No subsequent meetings were held, and no progress has been reported since. This is not the first instance of such irregularities. A previous audit for 2017–18 had highlighted a similar misuse of official transport, resulting in a reported loss of Rs20.10 million. The recurrence of these practices indicates systemic flaws and a lack of institutional accountability within the department.

The audit report calls for a thorough probe, initiation of disciplinary proceedings against those responsible, and immediate institutional reforms to curb further misuse of public assets.