CDA annoys NA panel over poor maintenance of Parliament Lodges

Islamabad

The National Assembly Standing Committee on House and Library has expressed its annoyance over the action taken by the CDA on inquiries ordered by the committee related to maintenance and renovation of Parliament Lodges. 

The committee opined that officers responsible for dereliction of duties causing loss to exchequer were either exonerated or were awarded only minor penalties. 

The committee met under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi in Parliament House here on Wednesday and was attended by MNAs Mian Muhammad Rasheed, Ch. Jaffar Iqbal, Sardar Mumtaz Khan, Mr. Mehboob Alam, Mrs. Shahida Rehmani and Ms Kiran Haider.

The committee while discussing the inquiry report regarding maintenance and renovation of Parliament cafeteria expressed dissatisfaction over the outcome of the inquiry and directed referring the same to Federal Investigation Agency for further probe. The committee observed that Rs43 million were spent on sub-standard renovation and maintenance of cafeteria which was initially estimated for Rs9 million thus causing loss of Rs34 million to the national exchequer.

The committee also expressed its displeasure over the dismal state of affairs of CDA Parliament Lodges Directorate and directed the chairman to immediately take appropriate action to rectify the situation. 

The deputy speaker said that he had been receiving multiple complaints from Members of the Parliament on daily basis regarding pathetic cleanliness, shoddy maintenance work and horticulture services at Parliament Lodges.

The committee rejected inquiry report submitted by CDA on fixing of responsibility on the failure of non-completion of 104 family suites and quarters in time in Parliament Lodges and directed CDA and Project Director, National Assembly to physically assess the work done by the Contractor and fix responsibility on the persons responsible for that failure and submit their findings within 10 days. The Chairman CDA informed the Committee that the Contractor had taken the matter to the Arbitrator and CDA was waiting for his decision to be announced in the month of June. He assured the Committee that necessary action would be taken against the construction firm in light of the directions of the Committee.

While discussing the matter of handling over plots of the employees of National Assembly/ Members of NAECHS, the Committee directed Inspector General of Police (ICT) to take necessary action to get the possession of the illegally occupied land of NAECHS. The Committee was apprised that Chief Commissioner had written letter to the IG (ICT) for taking action against the illegal occupants; however, the action by ICT Police was still overdue. The Committee also expressed its displeasure over not implementing Joint Venture Agreement between NAECHS and Federal Employees Cooperative Housing Society for provision of plots to the employees of National Assembly and Senate. The Committee said that the FECHS had acquired precious land of NAECHS and provided only 458 plots out of 1,096 plots, thus violating the agreement. The Committee directed the Chief Commissioner and Inspector General of Police, ICT to ensure their presence in the next meeting of the Committee so that the Committee may discuss and give appropriate directions.