SHC takes exception to completion of schemes without completing SNEs requirement

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has taken exception to completion of a large number of schemes in government department which do not require approval for sanctioned new establishments (SNEs) observing that it means thereby that the main focus of the government was only to initiate projects which are not institution-based.

During the hearing of a case pertaining to the completion of development schemes in Badin, a division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar directed a constituted committee to examine this aspect and submit a detailed report with descriptions of these schemes and the causes thereof, as well as determine whether these schemes were created or launched to siphon funds off the public exchequer.

The committee, which comprises officials of the health, and works and services department, filed its report mentioning details of the public schemes launched from the provincial government’s budget during the last 14 years.

The high court observed that after perusal of report, it had been revealed that with effect from 2009-2010 to 2023- 2024, out of total schemes, 5,608 schemes had been completed.

The bench observed that as per the report, 4,593 schemes did not require approval of SNEs, however, in 863 schemes, SNEs had been approved and in 152 schemes, SNEs were required to be approved.

The high court observed that of the total schemes, 2,778 schemes had been completed and 1,763 schemes did not require approval of SNEs, whereas in 863 schemes, SNEs had been approved and there remained 152 schemes in which SNEs were to be approved whereas in another report, it reflected that the total schemes completed were 2,830 and in all such schemes, SNEs were not required to be approved.

The chairperson of the committee requested that in the first instance, the committee be tasked with working out the SNEs on a provincial level and in the second phase it be told to carry out the schemes initiated from the district budget.

The high court directed the committee to first work out the SNEs on the provincial level and district-wise budget in the second phase and submit a report.

The SHC observed that as according to the report, SNEs had not yet been approved in a total of 152 schemes, it ordered that the SNEs of those 152 schemes be approved within a month.

The high court observed that the committee’s report reflected that some of the departments had not provided the required data.

The SHC directed the secretaries concerned to provide data to the committee before the next date of hearing.

The bench observed that the committee had also highlighted in its report the causes and technical hurdles behind the delays in SNEs approval as well as recommendations in this regard.

The high court directed the secretaries concerned to submit detailed reports on this before the next date of hearing.

The SHC observed that the planning and development secretary had submitted a report underlining the reasons and circumstances that led to the delay in the approval of SNEs for projects.

The bench observed that the department had also sought time to collect the information of public schemes of the remaining departments. The SHC ordered that a compressive report be submitted before the next date of hearing.

The high court directed the secretaries of the departments concerned, whose SNEs had not been approved, to submit detailed reasons of the delay caused in approval of the SNEs, which shall be submitted before the next date of hearing.

The bench observed that the special secretary of the health department had filed a statement that reflected that during the last 15 years, 184 schemes were initiated, of which 177 had been completed; SNEs relating to 77 scheme were sanctioned, whereas for 73 schemes, approval of SNEs was not required.

The high court directed that the SNEs/PC-IV which had not yet been approved shall immediately be approved and the committee shall fix the responsibility of delay in approval of SNEs in time.

The court observed that secretary of the works and services department was directed to submit comprehensive details of all public projects, including high and higher secondary schools, livestock buildings, and other schemes that had been completed but for which the SNEs had not yet been approved.

The court observed that the secretary was also directed to provide an explanation for the delays in SNE approval for these projects.