KHAN GARH - Corruption and misappropriation scams continue to jolt the TMA Muzaffagarh as embezzlement of more state funds has been detected in the contract of streetlights installation and in public awareness campaign against dengue virus.
As per detail, Muzaffargarh TMA Administrator Muzaffar Sial and TMO Malik Ghulam Farid Kherani embezzled government funds in the contract of streetlight installation. The misappropriation was unearthed during the process of audit and verification.
According to the conditions of the contract, streetlights, fitted with bras holders for bulbs, and chokes had to be installed. However, the contractors installed streetlights with plastic blub holders with chokes and the administrator and TMO passed his bills. The contractor installed plastic blub holders which cost Rs5 instead of bras holders which cost Rs35 thus causing a huge loss to the government exchequer.
Meanwhile sources in the TMA, requesting anonymity, told this scribe that both Administrator Muzaffar Sial and TMO malik Ghulam Farid Kherani colluded with the contractor and passed the bill despite the fact that he did not fulfil the conditions of the contract. They said that both the TMA officers facilitated the contractor for their own interest.
Similarly, both the administrator and TMO passed a tender amounting to Rs1,96,000 for banners and posters for anti-dengue campaign to raise awareness among people regarding prevent and treatment of the disease in the district.
But in fact the TMA only erected a few banners, preparing fake bills for hundreds and thousands banners. In this way both the officials used their power for their personal gains by causing a loss to the government.
Local PML-N leader Mehr Matloob Sial has sent an application to the Punjab Chief Minister, demanding him to order an inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Local Govt Secretary suspended TMA Muzaffargarh TMO Ghulam Farid Kherani and XEn Majeed Haidrani on allegations of embezzlement of Rs3.5 million against them.