The Ministry of Finance has reprimanded federal ministries and divisions for repeatedly violating rules when renting private buildings for government offices. The ministry has issued a stern warning, making it clear that no post-facto approvals will be entertained in the future.
In a strongly worded notice, the Finance Ministry highlighted that several departments continue to disregard the prescribed regulations. Despite clear instructions issued back in October 2001, many hiring cases are submitted only after audit objections, instead of following the proper approval process beforehand.
The ministry also noted instances where ministries have entered into rental agreements with private parties at rates higher than those approved by the Ministry of Housing and Works, without obtaining the mandatory prior approval from the Finance Ministry’s Regulation Wing.
It has been observed that ministries, divisions, departments, and organizations are not fully complying with these instructions. Several cases have surfaced where post-facto approval requests were forwarded after audit objections—an outright violation of the guidelines issued in the earlier notification.
The Finance Ministry has reiterated that all ministries, divisions, and departments must strictly follow the official procedure for renting office accommodation and must refrain from entering into agreements that exceed the rent ceilings set by the Ministry of Housing and Works. Obtaining prior approval from the Regulation Wing is mandatory.
Going forward, the ministry made it clear that no retrospective approval will be granted for such rental agreements under any circumstances.
