Procurement realities

This refers to the letter, ‘Procurement rules’ (Dec 7) by Hashim Abro. The major cause of violations of PPRA Rules is the dictatorial approach by all the heads of institutions who deliberately bypass rules to favour their favourites. If one carefully looks at the tender notices issued by various departments, there is a clause at the end that says: “The competent authority reserves rights to accept or reject any offer without assigning any reason”. In the wake of such a condition, what’s the fun in giving a tender notice?

PPRA Rules are being violated on daily basis because the contractors involved have direct contact with the concerned officers or created by them. It will be interesting to get data from the auditor general of Pakistan on the violation of PPRA Rules to see the extent of damage caused to the national exchequer but who cares when the competent authority is not punished? There is a law for every crime committed but it is not implemented. As long as violators are not punished rules will never be followed. We have formed hundreds of committees; the addition of a few more will add to the creation of more high-profile jobs with high salaries and perks but this can never substitute quick punishments to the competent authority and its wide circulation in the media.

Lt-Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt

Karachi