ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will come into action against Sindh government yet again for reviving the “scrapped“ subsidized tractor scheme allegedly tailored to dole out billions of rupees to only one group, well informed sources in NAB told Business Recorder on Thursday.

Sources who attended the recent NAB’s Executive Board Meeting (EBM) told Business Recorder that the Board has been completely briefed about the pros and cons of the scheme by the Sindh government.

Sources further contended that farmers were given just two to three days and thousands submitted applications but when NAB inquired from the concerned officials, it was informed that they have not received any forms.

According to the sources, NAB was assured that the scheme was being cancelled but reportedly that was a tactic to deceive NAB as the scheme continues.

NAB has also been informed that an attempt was made to extend Rs 500 million to Sindh-based specific sugar mills which was foiled due to timely action of NAB.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Sindh has declared the tractor scheme non-transparent, without merit and favouring one manufacturer.

An official statement issued by NAB on August 22, 2016, stated that an inquiry has been ordered against Sindh Agriculture Department and others. In this case the accused were alleged to have embezzled funds earmarked for the subsidized tractor scheme which caused millions of rupees financial loss to the national exchequer.

The official further stated that NAB Sindh had barred the Sindh government from processing the controversial tractor scheme announced by the Sindh government. He further said that Director, Agricultural Engineering Sindh Hyderabad revealed that NAB, Hyderabad visited Directorate, Agriculture Engineering Sindh and asked for related documents pertaining to the provision of assistance to farmers on purchase of 11000 wheel type tractors phase-III.

The genuine farmers and dealers of tractors remained unable to obtain the forms despite several visits to the bank’s branches; and some unscrupulous elements were paying about Rs 50,000 to the successful applicant whose ID card and landholding was used as the base to get the quota and then these tractors were sold at the sole discretion of the mafia.

On August 31, 2016 Sindh Bank, through a public notice, stated that the process of receiving an application under tractor scheme of Sindh government (advert printed on August 7, 2016) has been closed  in all districts of Sindh as per the district-wise quota except for Tharparkar and Badin.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN