Committee to probe anomalies in sports funds

JAMRUD: Local Government Minister Meena Khan has constituted a committee to investigate alleged corruption in sports funds allocated to the merged districts.

The minister took the action after receiving several complaints about the misuse of funds meant for sports promotion in the tribal districts.

Letters were issued to all deputy commissioners of the merged districts from the office of the Local Government Minister in this regard.

It was stated that each village council in the merged districts had been provided Rs0.5 million from the sports fund to organize sports tournaments in their respective areas. However, reports of irregularities in the utilisation of these funds were received, which the government said would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The letter added that public funds are a trust and every penny would be accounted for.

The inquiry committee, formed to examine the alleged misuse of sports funds, has been directed to submit its report to the Local Government Department within seven days. Strict legal action would be taken against those found involved in embezzlement, it added.

The inquiry committee will comprise deputy directors of the Directorate of Local Government.

The members were tasked with scrutinizing meeting minutes, expenditure vouchers and photographic evidence.