Khuhro orders probe into misuse of funds

KARACHI: Sindh education minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, taking notice of the report published in The News regarding financial irregularities and misuse of funds worth Rs13.53 billion by Reform Support Unit (RSU) of Sindh education department has directed secretary education Sindh Dr. Fazal Pechoho to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
He has directed the provincial education secretary to taken action against those found involved in the misuse of funds. The Audit department found financial irregularities and misuse of funds of Rs13.53 billion by the Reform Support Unit of Sindh Education Department in one financial year, 2013-14.
According to the Audit department 6, 207 schools are closed; 20, 212 schools are without the facility of toilets; 23,047 schools are without the facility of drinking water; 23,242 schools are without electricit; 18,938 schools do not have boundary walls and 7,461 schools are without building.
Official correspondence suggested that Rs38 million were used in excess on account of Public Private partnership, Rs13.704 wasted on preparation of schools, Rs6.346 million free text books, non deduction of income tax amounted to loss of Rs0.448 million, non production of record of free text books amounting to Rs1.4 billion, non-achievement of Disbursement Link Indicators (DLI) resulting in non-release of Rs1.294 billion, non-utilization of project released funds of Rs10.750 billion, failing to obtain Grant from European Union amounting to 10 million Euros and unaccounted-for machinery and equipment valuing Rs17.108 million.