PESHAWAR: Rs 462 million loss was detected by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s flagship ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ Project
Loss of over Rs 462 million to the national exchequer was detected in initial inquiry by NAB as just 10 to 20 per cent of the recorded of the Project was checked.
There is possibility of large scale corruption when whole project is being checked, sources said, adding that it was recommended to convert the inquiry into proper investigation so that further details about the project will be brought to surface.
On March 26, 2019, NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal had authorised the inquiry against the Billion Tree Tsunami Project.
NAB has checked only 10 to 20 per cent of only one region out of three regions. This is the smallest region compared to Hazara and Swat regions. NAB sources confirmed that the matter is under scrutiny as per law.
In 2014, the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa government during its first tenure had started the Billion Tree Tsunami Project with Rs 14.32 billion utilised for the project execution by the forest department.
According to NAB sources, 24 different complaints were received by the Peshawar bureau regarding ghost payments, nepotism and favouritism in selection of nurseries. Overlapping of plantation of the other project was also pointed out by complainants. Some of the complaints were regarding payments made for plants different from the actually purchased ones.
Allegations of ghost labour, misappropriation and embezzlement of daily wages, enclosures failure and payments against ghost plantations were also received.
Initial inquiry based on proceedings conducted so far a loss of Rs 462 million has been detected. The NAB reports further disclosed that due to the shortfall in the hectare-wise plantation area in Dera Ismail Khan a loss of Rs 80.044 million has been detected.
Embezzlement of plants in farm forestry/free distribution in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa worth of Rs 359.01 million has been found during the inquiry. Furthermore, embezzlements on account of sowing/dibbling of seeds and salaries paid to nighebans (caretakers) of enclosures in Dera Ismail Khan amount to Rs 10.62 million.
Embezzlement of Rs 2.5 million was found in 411,000 plants received from other divisions in Bannu. A watchtower was constructed in Dera Ismail Khan without any PC 1 resulting in irregularities of Rs 10 million.
The regional NAB office has recommended the headquarters to convert the ongoing inquiry into a proper investigation to probe the case. It further recommended four investigations against the Divisional Forest Officer and others regarding misuse of authority, embezzlement, corruption and corrupt practices and execution of BTAP against Divisional Forest Officer of Dera Ismail Khan along with region 1, 2, 3 i.e. Hazara and Swat.
Furthermore, six additional inquiries were also recommended against the officers and officials of the KP forest department and others regarding embezzlement, misappropriation, corruption, and corrupt practices in procurement of seeds, polythene bags, machinery, vehicles and office equipment in forest region 1, 2,3.
It was further recommended that three inquiries may be approved against all three regional officers and officials of the forest department regarding corruption and corrupt practices in plantation and enclosures of the province.
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