Latest news with #047
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab held back Rs2b sugarcane fund
An audit report has revealed that Punjab's finance department did not release over Rs2 billion fund earmarked for the development of sugarcane sector in the last provincial budget in violation of the Punjab Sugarcane (Development) Cess Rules, 1964. As per the rules, a fund — the Sugarcane Development Fund — is created in each district of the province. The fund of each district is operated by the concerned DCO. The Finance Department releases funds to the respective DCO after deduction of 10% of the total collection of the cess for the Sugarcane Research and Development Board and deduction of 2% collection charges. According to the Auditor General of Pakistan report, it transpired during the audit of the finance department's civil accounts of June, 2023 that there existed a liability of Rs20,335,026,047 under "G-11212-Deposits on Sugarcane Development Cess Fund". "The Cane Commissioner of Punjab had deposited an amount of Rs5,090,152,163 in Account-I for the purpose of subsequent distribution of funds. "Although the Finance Department had not released the authority for payment, the DAO Faisalabad and Vehari made payments of 55,286,766 and Rs. 28,682,577 respectively." Additionally, 2% collection charges were also not incorporated in the budget. The auditor said it is of the view that lapse occurred due to weak administrative and financial controls. It said the matter was further reported to the Administrative Department and during a departmental account committee (DAC) meeting held on January 30, 2025, it was decided that the para should be kept pending until the SOPS/policy are formulated in consultation with stakeholders. "As regards the remaining paras, neither any reply was received nor a DAC meeting convened till the finalization of this report despite issuance of reminders in November and December 2024." The audit recommended proper allocation and utilization of the Sugarcane Development Cess Fund, in accordance with the specified rules. "[These allocations and utilizations] are imperative to ensure the intended developmental projects are carried out efficiently and transparently," it added.
Indianapolis Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Here's how a company earns Top Workplaces honors
If you want to really know what's happening at work, ask the people on the front lines. That's the foundation of the Top Workplaces award. For the 17th year, employee survey company Energage has partnered with the Indy Star to honor the best places to work in central Indiana. This award can't be bought; it has to be earned, based on employee feedback. Winners are chosen through a scientific survey process. Positive employee feedback equals recognition. Workplaces that don't have strong feedback are excluded from the winners list. Energage crunches the data based on a 25-question survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. The survey asks employees for their feedback on such factors as pay and benefits, direction, leadership, meaningfulness, and appreciation. Energage scores companies based on the responses. Organizations do not pay any fees to survey employees or to earn a Top Workplaces designation. If they choose, organizations can purchase the survey data. There is no obligation for winners to purchase any product or service. For the 2025 winners list, 3,047 organizations were asked to survey their employees, and 153 agreed to do so. Based on the survey feedback, 111 employers have earned recognition as Central Indiana Top Workplaces. 'Top Workplaces awards are a celebration of good news,' said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. 'They exemplify the significance of a people-first workplace experience, reminding us that employees are the heart of any thriving organization.' The winners list is intended to reflect on the regional workforce. To qualify for Top Workplaces recognition, employers must have at least 50 workers in the region. Survey results are valid only if 35% or more employees respond; employers with fewer than 85 employees have a higher response threshold, requiring responses from at least 30 employees. Employers earn Top Workplaces recognition if their aggregated employees feedback score exceeds national benchmarks. Employers are grouped into similar sizes to best compare similar employee experiences. Energage has established those benchmarks based on feedback from about 30 million employees over 19 years. They are ranked within those groups based on the strength of the survey feedback. Why might a particular employer not be on the list? Perhaps it chose not to participate, or perhaps it did and employee feedback scores were not strong enough. Energage also runs tests on survey feedback and in some cases may disqualify an organization if, for example, a high number of employees said they felt pressured to answer positively.
