ISLAMABAD - Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has paid irregular and unauthorised payments of Rs1257 million as salaries to deputationists, Auditor General of Pakistan has pointed out in its report for financial year 2015-16.
According to the audit report, the Establishment Division vide O.M.NO1/13/87-R.1 dated 03.12.1990 allows deputation of civil servants to Foreign Service in Pakistan on standard terms and conditions developed in consultation with the Finance Division. Under the terms, officials on deputation are given emoluments in Basic Scales as admissible under the government from time to time and deputation allowance at rate of 20 per cent (maximum Rs6000). The management of BISP allowed the deputationists to readjust their pay and allowances in accordance with the Special Pay Scale (SPS) or to continue in the basic scales being followed by the government servants elsewhere.
The Audit report said that although the deputationists in BISP were posted on standard terms and conditions, they were all paid under the SPS. It said the extra payment made to deputationists was in violation of the standard terms and conditions.
The managements replied that BISP board in its 7th meeting held on 19.10.2010 decided that all deputationists were extended the offer to adopt the BISP pay package which they all accepted.
Audit report said that the reply was not tenable as Establishment Division had placed the services of the deputationists with BISP on standard terms and conditions that did not allow such an arrangement.
The PAO was informed on 19.11.2015 but DAC was not convened till the finalisation of the report.
Audit recommended that he irregular payments should be recovered and deposited into the government treasury besides discontinuation of the irregularity.
