BAHAWALNAGAR: The deputy commissioner has promised a ‘transparent inquiry’ into reports that fine collected by the Minchanabad tehsil administration under different offences is not being deposited with the treasury since December last.

The fine is collected from heavily-loaded sugar cane trolleys, brick kilns and petrol pumps not following official instructions, illegal shops and buildings and other offences falling under the TMA purview.

Some of the ‘victims of official extortion’ said Minchinabad assistant commissioner Mudassir Arif Khokhar along with his subordinate Abdul Malik, stated to be a front man, visits some business concerns almost every morning and imposes fines.

DC promises inquiry

This correspondent took fine receipts sent by some petrol pump and brick kiln owners to Minchinabad accounts officer RaoYousaf, who, after scrutiny, said the receipts carrying the AC’s signature were official but the money collected had not been deposited with the exchequer.

AC Mudassar Arif denied allegations and said he had deposited fines with the accounts office.

Accounts officer RaoYousaf said Abdul Malik had visited his office and forced him to tell Dawn that the fine amount had been deposited with the accounts office. RaoYousaf said that he refused to do so.

Deputy Commissioner SD Khalid said any official found involved in any illegal practice would not be spared. Former general secretary of local bar Chaudhry Mukhtar Ameen and Mandi Sadiq Gunj chairman Rao Kashif advocate said their complaints of corruption to high-ups had gone unnoticed.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2019