By Dr Ansab Ali, Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore concluded a two-day training programme titled “Building Competence for Compliance: Public Procurement Rules (PPRA) & Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act (PEEDA)” at its City Campus Lahore.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani presided over the concluding ceremony and distributed certificates among the participants. Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf, Registrar Sajjad Hyder, and a large number of participants from various UVAS departments and the Punjab Livestock Department attended the ceremony.

Managing Director Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ms Sahibzadi Wasimah Umar and former Secretary S&GAD Siddique Akbar Minhas served as resource persons during the training.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani said such training programmes were essential, particularly for administrative officers responsible for institutional procurement and matters involving alleged violations of rules and regulations.

He said the training would help officials develop a better understanding of PPRA rules and the PEEDA Act and enable them to perform their responsibilities more effectively and in accordance with applicable regulations.

During the two-day programme, the resource persons provided detailed briefings on the PPRA regulatory framework, preparation of effective procurement plans, application of eligibility and evaluation criteria, selection of appropriate procurement methods, bid opening and evaluation procedures, contract management, and the professional resolution of complaints and disputes.

The participants were also introduced to the e-PADS system and briefed on various provisions of the PEEDA Act, including recruitment and selection under public-sector rules, code of conduct and employees’ responsibilities, departmental inquiry procedures, show-cause notices, preparation of effective inquiry reports, and procedures relating to appeals and reviews under the PEEDA Act.