Financial Irregularities Uncovered in Punjab’s S&GAD Vehicle Allocations

A special audit has revealed considerable irregularities in the allocation of official vehicles within Punjab’s Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD). These violations have imposed a cost of over Rs9.09 million on the provincial treasury.

The audit report, pertaining to the fiscal year 2022-2023, indicates that government vehicles were assigned to individuals ineligible under the official transport policy established in 2008. The policy explicitly outlines vehicle entitlements based on rank and designation. Auditors discovered multiple instances where vehicles were given to junior officials and officers on special assignments, contravening established regulations.

In several cases, vehicles exceeding the permitted engine capacity were allocated, further exacerbating the rule breaches. This misuse resulted in escalated fuel, repair, and maintenance expenses, leading to an unwarranted expenditure of Rs9,095,063.

Auditors pointed to deficiencies in internal control systems and administrative oversight as primary causes. Despite the issuance of audit observations in August and September 2023, the department did not provide a response. Subsequent reminders were also ignored. A Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meeting on January 31, 2024, addressed some audit points but left critical issues unresolved. No further meetings have taken place, and no progress has been reported since then.

This is not an isolated incident. A previous audit for 2017–18 revealed similar misuse of official transport, with reported losses of Rs20.10 million. The recurrence of these practices suggests underlying systemic weaknesses and a lack of accountability within the department.

The audit report recommends a comprehensive investigation, initiation of disciplinary actions against those accountable, and immediate institutional reforms to prevent further misuse of public resources.