Auditor General's Office has identified irregularities in the funds disbursed by Aasandha Company Limited to aid locals stranded abroad.
The COVID-19 compliance audit conducted on Aasandha Company Limited and National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) revealed Aasandha had violated the operating procedure in disbursing funds to three locals stranded abroad after borders were closed due to COVID-19. In this regard, the audit revealed Aasandha had issued over USD 7,500 to the three individuals accounting for dates which precede the date for which the return tickets were purchased. The operating procedure for disbursing funds to locals stranded abroad states funds can only be released starting from the date of scheduled return until the end of lockdown.
Furthermore, the audit revealed funds were issued by two separate institutions for four individuals stranded abroad due to COVID-19. As such, the report stated four individuals were provided assistance by both Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aasandha, resulting in an excess of USD 1,360 being released. The report further revealed over USD 600 was disbursed as assistance to an individual who had passed away.
The Auditor General has stated employees of state institutions must take the responsibility for any losses incurred by the state due to their negligence.