The controversial VOTE 340 which is used by the Keith Mitchell-led government in St. George's to hire party hacks and political operatives of the regime came under the scrutiny of the opposition dominated Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In the just released report of the committee headed by Opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas, concerns were raised about the people who are hired in the Public Service under Vote 340.
The committee members called in Director of Audit, Anslem Joseph and Accountant-General in the Ministry of Finance, Patricia Antoine-Clyne to give evidence about the Vote which some observers see as rivaling the existing civil service.
Government has consistently denied that it was using Vote 340 to hire political activists but mainly peoole engaged as cleaners in the service.
Following are highlights of the latest PAC report that was laid in Parliament by the committee:
Mention was made to Line Item 340 in the respective Votes.
Honourable V. Nazim Burke inquired of the Accountant General if a meeting was ever held by the Management Committee which was established to look at 340.
The Accountant General said that the Committee never met and when asked what the problem was, she said that she doesn't know, and she was not supposed to be the Chairman.
When asked who the Chairman of the Committee was, the Director of Audit said that it was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
Honourable V. Nazim Burke said that there is a need to understand Vote 340. He said that they need to understand the rights and wrongs of it and welcomed any comments that the Accountant General could give on that item.
The Accountant General said that they would first of all need to go back to Government's policy. She said that if Government's policy is to hire on contract, then there's little that could be done, but to pay.
She gave a brief description of what was done during the era of retrenchment, where there was a policy to cut back on the size of Government, through Public Officers and cease recruiting any new persons into the Service.
The Accountant General summarised briefly what would happen in a case like that and gave the purpose of 340. She further stated that it was a growing trend in the OECS.
She went on to say that 340 probably have to be better managed, but there's nothing really wrong with 340.
She further stated that everything should be done simultaneously and there must be a plan to include 340 to weave out and shave out the looseness that is in the service.
The Accountant General said that what should be looked at is the policy and not 340, because nothing can be done.
She went on to say that when it comes to recommendations, that is where the Director of Audit may come in to make recommendations to the Government as to how 340 can be incorporated with the established Public Service.
Honourable Tillman Thomas inquired as to what was being contracted.
He said that most of the people under 340 are political persons and said that some of them were not performing and gave an example of the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Finance.
The Accountant General maintained that there were some usefulness of 340 and the Chairman agreed that there may be one or two and went on to say that he believes that there is a whole idea to undermine the Public Service.
He further stated that most of the people under 340 were not subject to disciplinary action by the Public Service.
The Accountant General said that if would then be the best thing for the Public Service Commission to take issue with it and the Chairman said that the Public Service itself has been compromised.
Honorable Tillman Thomas further stated that the entire situation needs to be rescued in order to get back some standards and some system in place.
Honourable V. Nazim Burk suggested to the Accountant General and the Director of Audit to convene a meeting with the new Permanent Secretary and assert themselves on the issue, because monies are being spent and people are unhappy about the way in which it is being spent.
The Accountant General said that everything came back to policy. She said that her role is to ensure that there is a proper contract in place when she is making a payment.
She further stated that unless Government's policy changes, her role means nothing.
Information on the list of all the persons included under 340 by Ministry and Department was requested.
