Senators hold CDA officials accountable for over committing and not showing results

Author: Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The meeting of Senate House Committee was held on Tuesday at the Parliament Lodges.

Chaired by Senate Deputy Chairman Salim Mandviwalla, the meeting was attended by Senators Samina Saeed, Sardar Shafiq Tareen, Mir Muhammad Yousaf Badini, Kulsoom Parveen, Kauda Babar and senior officers from Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Capital Administration & Development Division (CADD).

The meeting commenced with a review of the minutes of the meetings that were held on August 8 and September 5, 2018. Senator Salim Mandviwalla went through each recommendation seeking its implementation status.

The committee had directed CDA for immediate removal of rubble from the premises of Parliament Lodges and its disposal as per rules/policy and submission of a comprehensive report by September 10. The committee was informed that shifting of scrap material to MPO yard has begun and is due to be completed within four days.

It was further revealed that scrap material shall be disposed of through auction.

Salim Mandviwalla inquired about the status of the construction of the additional block. CDA Chairman Afzal Latif briefed the committee about the status of cleanliness at the lodges and the status of recruitment of janitorial services on contract.

The committee was informed that the janitorial contract is yet to be awarded and as directed, approval shall be sought before appointment.

The committee had directed CADD secretary to ensure availability of ambulances both in Parliament House and Parliament Lodges and submit a compliance report to the committee by September 10.

Mandviwalla concluded that the issue would have to be discussed with the National Health Services Regulations & Coordination Division as the subject matter stands devolved in view of the recent notification by the Cabinet division pertaining to the winding up of CADD and accordingly, directed that the concerned division be summoned in the next meeting.

Mandviwalla reviewed violation of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules while formulating contracts with the government. Senator Kulsoom Parveen was of the opinion that in order to facilitate the process, PPRA rules may be revised after taking CDA on board.

In his recommendation in the last two meetings, Mandviwalla had directed CDA to evaluate the two options shared by National Engineering Services Pakistan and take a clear position and brief the committee by September 13. The committee was informed that CDA is in the process of evaluating all options to resolve the issues in consultation with the CDA legal wing and the contractor for an early completion of the project.

While discussing the maintenance of Parliament Lodges and approved utilisation work plan for the year 2018-19, Mandviwalla showed concern regarding delay of payments for projects and stated that it was sad to see schemes being stalled due to delay in disbursing funds. He also criticised the system for awarding projects to the lowest bidder, saying that it is extremely disastrous as quality of work is more often than not compromised.

Reviewing the present litigation status between the contractor Habib Rafiq (Pvt) Limited and CDA with regards to the construction of an additional block, Parliament Lodges along with its possible legal implications and way out, it was submitted to the committee that the tribunal awarded the claimant an amount of Rs 613,177,979 on account of the claims made by it.

The committee was informed that CDA has already challenged the said award.

CDA chairman stressed the need for separating arbitration from projects for steady progress by entering into a meaningful dialogue with the contractor so as to reach an amicable solution.

In view of the longstanding demand by resident members inside the Parliament Lodges, the CDA chairman was directed to look into the possibility of a makeshift arrangement owing to the eviction operation carried out by the CDA as a result of which the existing shops had been closed down, thus depriving residents from procuring day to day essentials on the premises.

Published in Daily Times, September 26th 2018.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Business

Pakistan Stock Exchange: Index hits new high of 67,208

Pakistan Stock Exchange: Index hits new high of 67,208 The Pakistan Stock Exchange 100 index…

59 mins ago
  • International

America and its allies are afraid of a big and strong Russia: Putin

America and its allies are afraid of a big and strong Russia: Putin Russian President…

1 hour ago
  • International

Grievances by Islamabad High Court judges are worrying: United Lawyers Society UK

Grievances by Islamabad High Court judges are worrying: United Lawyers Society UK The United Lawyers…

1 hour ago
  • Top Stories

Punjab Assembly: Budget 2023-24 approved today, members continue to arrive

Punjab Assembly: Budget 2023-24 approved today, members continue to arrive The budget of 2023-24 will…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

SC full court takes into account judges’ letter over ‘meddling’

A full court meeting of the Supreme Court judges was held in the federal capital…

5 hours ago
  • Pakistan

PTI questions credibility of verdicts after judges’ letter

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders associated on Wednesday the letter written by six Islamabad High Court…

5 hours ago