by Mian Abrar
Expressing displeasure over the misconduct of officers’ corrupt practices in the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), the Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Resources on Thursday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to reopen inquiry into cash payments of Rs266 million out of OGDCL Workers Profit Participation Fund to non-entitled employees of Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited.
The Committee, which met here at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Ch Bilal Ahmad Virk, directed the OGDCL to formally lodge a complaint in this regard and provide requisite information to the investigation agency.
While expressing its displeasure on the disclosure of spending huge amounts on medical treatment of OGDCL employees, directed OGDCL management to hold an inquiry against the employees involved in the misuse of the medical facility at different stations of OGDCL.
The Committee also directed FIA to assist OGDCL in the recovery of misused medical funds by employees and medical facilities on the panel of OGDCL. The Committee was apprised that Rs890 million were incurred on medical treatment of employees during last five years.
The Committee was informed that Rs98 million and Rs238 million was paid in cash to employees of OGDCL in years 2006-07 and 2007-08, respectively, by the office bearers of OGDCL Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) for which record was not available with the company.
The Committee directed OGDCL management to hold an internal inquiry and identify persons who received the money for its subsequent disbursement to the employees.
The Managing Director of OGDCL apprised the Committee that an inquiry was conducted by the FIA in 2010 on a complaint initiated by third party employees regarding disbursement of WPPF Funds who had either received less payment or the payments were made to non-entitled employees; however, the inquiry was closed by the FIA due to non-availability of concrete evidence.
Taking cognisance of the massive expenditure on medical treatment, an inquiry was conducted which identified involvement of 77 employees on the misuse of medical facility at the head office and field establishments. The managing director further apprised that inquiry was in progress and a disciplinary action would be taken against those held responsible.
The Committee while discussing the logistic operations, budget, and spending of the OGDCL directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present the latest update on the case of diesel theft at Tando Alam field, amounting to Rs328 million, against Hussain Bux Narejo and others in the next meeting of the Committee. The managing director of the OGDCL informed that the company had saved a substantial amount of money due to stringent measures initiated to address the theft of fuel.
The Committee disposed off the complaint of Siraj Muhammad Khan, MNA, regarding a delay in the opening of a regional office of the SNGPL in Mardan since it had been made functional and was catering to the gas consumers of the area. The Committee directed SSGCL management to complete gas pipeline by 31st March 2017, which would supply gas to Sanghar city and its adjoining areas. The managing director of SSGCL apprised the Committee about the measures initiated to address the problem of low pressure of gas in Sindh and assured that the situation will improve soon.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Malik Aitebar Khan, Mian Tariq Mehmood, Ch Khalid Javaid Warraich, Roshan Din Junejo, Imran Khattak, Akram Khan Durrani, Pir Bux Junejo, Shahjehan Muneer Mangrio, Secretary M/o P&NR, and senior officers of the concerned departments.
