ISLAMABAD
Taking notice of alleged Irregularities, corruption, malpractice and anomalies in practice at Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the Cabinet division has asked OGRA to furnish a response at the earliest in this regard, it was learnt.
Sources at petroleum ministry on condition of anonymity informed Pakistan Today that the Cabinet Division (CD) has taken notice of alleged irregularities, corruption, malpractice and anomalies in practice at Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). They said the division (CD), on finding the complaints, has written a letter to chairperson OGRA and sought official response as early as possible.
“OGRA is requested to look into the matter and furnish comments at the earliest, “sources said.
The sources further said that cabinet division would hopefully direct investigation into the alleged massive anomalies at OGRA on finding OGRA’s response in this regard. The division may form a committee to probe the entire massive anomalies at OGRA, they added.
It is important to note here that earlier OGRA chairperson has restricted an executive director of Human Resources Department from delivering official duties except for the development of performance evaluation system ostensibly over the revelations of alleged massive anomalies during a meeting held under the chairperson on April 10, 2017 .
“You are advised to restrict yourself to the assignment given to you by the chairperson,” said Inter-Office Memo (IOM) of OGRA issued on April 13, 2017.
Interestingly, OGRA chairperson’s secretariat issued IOM on April 13, 2017, to restrict ED (HR) from official duties ostensibly owing to the IOM issued by ED (HR) on April 11, 2017.
The ED (HR) highlighted abnormalities/anomalies in the working/postings of various officers/officials as well as their working contrary to their assigned job descriptions and tasks, and prevailing disgruntlement among various officers who deserve promotion to higher slot as per rules. And, requested the authority to initiate massive reshuffle of all officials/officers vis-a-vis restructuring of all departments to develop and cultivate a conducive and professionally efficient working environment in all departments, said IOM issued by ED (HR) on April 11, 2017.
Feeling uneasy and unjustified to further continue working at the slot of ED (HR) with restricted powers, the diligent officer accused of stepping overboard by OGRA chairperson also requested the authority to relieve him from the position.
“The undersigned feels unjustified to retain the position of ED; hence, he might be relieved from the position and bestow the position to an adequate officer, competent enough to effectively operate and conduct ED (HR) duties in prevailing abnormal conditions and as per instructions of the competent Authority,” said OGRA’s IOM dated April 14, 2017.
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is faced with a plethora of serious challenges and is about to sink after being hit by huge anomalies concerning maladministration, rampant poor governance, irregularities, etc. which have dented its reputation badly.
Copies of official documents available with this scribe disclose anomalies and irregularities of OGRA which need to be addressed and rectified to ameliorate the existing working environment of a regulatory authority, which was established on March 28, 2002, on the pressing demand of the World Bank and other donors to foster competition, increase private investment and ownership in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry.
