KPCTA cars abused by authorities and advisors, audit finds Rs. 4.3m fuel and maintenance load

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Musarrat Ullah Jan – kixkNow digital creator

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) established to facilitate tourism and culture has been put into the spotlight after the official audit report for 2023-24 showed massive abuse of government cars.

As per the report, a number of officers and advisers not eligible for KPCTA cars used them for private use. The improper allocations meant Rs. 4.37 million worth of fuel and maintenance was incurred during the year.

The audit revealed that Advisor to the Chief Minister for Tourism maintained two luxury cars — Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Revo — even though he was not a government employee. In a similar case, Secretary Tourism Department, who was DG KPCTA, maintained two cars.

Besides, the Deputy Secretary, Additional Secretary, and CPO of the Tourism Secretariat all used one vehicle each, even though they were not entitled to do so.

The audit observed that these procedures contravened the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business, 1985, and the Government Staff Vehicles (Use & Maintenance) Rules, 1997, which limit government cars to the personnel of the concerned department.

Closer inspection found some vehicles in the name of KPCTA or its former entity, the Sarhad Tourism Corporation, were not in the declared list of the authority. These comprised a Toyota Surf (1993), Honda Civic (2008), Toyota Hilux (2008), Toyota Revo 4x4 (2023), and Suzuki Wagon-R (2020).

Their non-inclusion in official lists indicated they were in illegal use, which signaled issues of management as well as transparency within the authority.

The audit department sent a letter to the KPCTA on September 18, 2024, and then followed up with reminders on December 4 and December 31, 2024, to hold a Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meeting to address the issue. The meeting was never held until the completion of the report, and the issue remained pending.

The auditors have suggested:

Recovery of all the misused vehicles on an immediate basis,

Reimbursement of the Rs. 4.37 million incurred on their running and repair,

Disciplinary action against the officers and political advisors concerned.

The report has raised eyebrows over the efficiency of KPCTA, which was to be utilized in promoting tourism development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Official vehicles were diverted to what critics label as a "protocol culture" to favor high-ranking officers and political advisors, rather than being put to use in easing tourism ventures.

Whether the recommendations are implemented or limited to audit reports only is to be seen.

#KPCTA #AuditReport #CashCulture #Accountability #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #Corruption #AuditFail #CashWithdrawals #PublicMoney #SystemFailure


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