GILGIT: Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan has vowed to ensure better governance and transparency in the province, emphasizing that irregularities in public welfare projects will not be tolerated. He stated that resources will be utilized for the well being of the people and to improve their quality of life.
Speaking during a briefing by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Commission, he acknowledged that past inquiries into irregularities in various projects were not concluded effectively.
The Chief Minister stressed the implementation of a strict reward and-punishment system without discrimination. “We are working with sincerity and merit and do not believe in political retaliation,” he added.
Haji Gulbar Khan directed the members of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Commission to work with integrity, ensuring merit and remaining free from all biases and affiliations. He sought a detailed report from the Services and General Administration Department regarding the implementation of inquiry reports on 262 different projects.
Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed the Chairman of the Inspection Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the Rs 1.75 billion spent on rented diesel generators and their usage, and to submit a report to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat within a month.
He also ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of diesel generators by the electricity department and irregularities in the construction of link roads in Tangir.Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Commission Fida Hussain provided a comprehensive briefing on the commission’s performance during the meeting.
Earlier, as the government of Gilgit Baltistan prepares to present its annual budget, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has controversially requested a discretionary fund for himself and a separate camp office in Islamabad. This move is expected to significantly strain the already limited budget of the regional government, which largely depends on federal grants.
According to documents obtained, two separate bills were introduced in the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, proposing these provisions. The opposition has strongly opposed these bills, labeling them as highly unjustified and unlawful.
The first bill seeks to amend the Chief Minister (Salaries, Allowances, and Privileges) Act, 2021, to allow for the establishment of a separate camp office in Islamabad. This office would include necessary employees, government vehicles, office equipment, and furniture. The proposal was approved in the 7th Cabinet Meeting held on April 24, 2024, and it has now been forwarded to the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly for final approval.
The second bill requests an amendment to the same Act to include an unlimited discretionary fund for the Chief Minister. The proposal states: “An appropriate amount shall be placed by the Government at the disposal of the Chief Minister under the discretionary grant for making discretionary grants.” This amendment was also approved in the aforementioned Cabinet meeting.
