MARDAN: An audit report has found financial irregularities in the funds meant for “Stori Da Pakhtunkhwa” Scholarship Programme.
It may be noted that as per letters written by the deputy commissioner Mardan to the chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Mardan, the latter was responsible for furnishing the receipts of the students receiving the scholarships.
The audit said that Rs56.4 million had been given to the chairman BISE Mardan for distribution amongst eligible students. The amounts included Rs27 million and another sum of Rs29.4 given through separate cheques. But during the course of audit, it was found that no documentation could be found to prove the disbursement of the amount. No records of beneficiaries were obtained.
The lapse was attributed to internal control weaknesses and non-adherence to financial rules, thus classifying expenditure as irregular. Upon bringing the matter into the notice of the management in July 2024, the officials concerned said that they would get in touch with the chairman BISE for compliance.
