Punjab judiciary overspends Rs1456.7 million

By: Amir Riaz | Published: June 17, 2009

LAHORE - Punjab judiciary had made a huge overspending of Rs 1456.696 million during the last fiscal year (2008-09) with a considerable amount spent in providing judicial allowance and other utilities to judges at all level.
Punjab government had initially allocated Rs 2843.254 million non-development funds in last year that was revised to Rs 4300.219 million after overspending of more than one billion rupees. Now Rs 5237.718 has been allocated for year 2009-10, owing to significant increase in the salaries and allowances of judicial officers.
Supplementary budget document for year 2008-09 shows that Rs 117.42 million were over-spent by the high court in the head of paying salaries, allowances and other allowance to officers.
Likewise, Rs 7.19 million have been incurred in special courts while Rs 41.72 million were spent to pay salaries to other staff of sessions court. Rs 1.13 million have been incurred on regular allowance in small cause courts. Interestingly, 20 computers were purchased for the Lahore High Court against Rs 1.7 million while four walk through gates at LHC Multan Bench caused Rs 1.4 million.
Funds for purchase of judges rest houses at Tollinton lane and Aikman Road Lahore are Rs 9,74,5000 while Rs 92.165 million had been spent in judicial, utility and car allowance for judges of LHC and subordinate judiciary.
Rs 1.54 million had been spent for furnishing four new court rooms at LHC Multan Bench while Rs 3.50 million had been given as three time special allowance to members of district judiciary working in LHC against ex-cadre posts. A huge amount of Rs 172.62 million was incurred for enhanced allowance to the LHC staff while 25 new cars caused Rs 38.73 million. Ten new posts of LHC judges were created during last year that caused Rs.3.72 million to national kitty.
More than Rs 10 million were given to families of subordinate judges and their staff as financial assistance. Rs 374 million were spent in special allowance to subordinate judiciary while 203 million were given as utility allowance to their staff. Interestingly Rs 196 million were spent in payment of allowance to staff of civil courts in Punjab.
One post of additional advocate general with staff caused Rs 3.54 million while Rs 2.5 million were paid as outstanding electricity bill of office of advocate general Punjab.

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