Ultimatum: LG representatives threaten to protest over KMC’s status
Raise concerns over withdrawal of financial support by TMA, govt
LG representatives raise concerns over withdrawal of financial support by TMA, govt. PHOTO: FILE
HARIPUR:
Local government representatives have threatened to hold a sit-in outside Bani Gala and the Chief Minister House if the financial status of Khalabat Township Municipal Committee (KMC) is not restored within two days.
The announcement was made during a meeting of elected representatives from two union councils – Tarbela and Khalabat Township – along with members from seven village councils in Haripur on Wednesday. The moot was aimed at discussing the prevailing financial crisis at KMC.
During the meeting, participants demanded restoration of KMC’s status within two days. They said if these demands are not met, they would protest outside the CM House in Peshawar and PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence in Bani Gala.
Left in the lurch
Participants voiced their concern over the withdrawal of financial support to KMC by Haripur Tehsil Municipal Administration and the provincial government.
Speaking on this occasion, Sikandar Hayat Khan, a district council member from Tarbela UC, said residents of over 100 villages had sacrificed their agricultural land and orchards for the construction of Tarbela Dam.
“However, they have received nothing in return,” he said. “In the past, they have been deceived by Wapda which failed to compensate a majority of landowners as they had promised. Later, a large number of industrialists closed down their industries, leaving villagers jobless.”
According to Sikandar Hayat, villagers have now been deprived of their basic right to civic amenities after financial support was withdrawn from KMC. “The decision has exposed KMC to financial problems,” he said. “KMC owed over Rs9 million to Pesco and Rs4.1 million to private filling stations.”
Speaking on the occasion, Sajjad Khan, a tehsil council member from Khalabat, the failure to pay outstanding bills to filling stations has stopped the supply of fuel to KMC’s vehicles.
“As a result, officials have been unable to collect waste in the union council,” he said. “Pesco also plans to disconnect power supply to 16 tubewells and create a water shortage.”
According to Sajjad, Haripur district administration has received Rs2.38 billion from the provincial government since 2002. However, this amount was spent on the entire district.
“At least 25% of the funds allocated by the government were meant for uplift of communities affected by the construction of Tarbela Dam,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2015.
Local government representatives have threatened to hold a sit-in outside Bani Gala and the Chief Minister House if the financial status of Khalabat Township Municipal Committee (KMC) is not restored within two days.
The announcement was made during a meeting of elected representatives from two union councils – Tarbela and Khalabat Township – along with members from seven village councils in Haripur on Wednesday. The moot was aimed at discussing the prevailing financial crisis at KMC.
During the meeting, participants demanded restoration of KMC’s status within two days. They said if these demands are not met, they would protest outside the CM House in Peshawar and PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence in Bani Gala.
Left in the lurch
Participants voiced their concern over the withdrawal of financial support to KMC by Haripur Tehsil Municipal Administration and the provincial government.
Speaking on this occasion, Sikandar Hayat Khan, a district council member from Tarbela UC, said residents of over 100 villages had sacrificed their agricultural land and orchards for the construction of Tarbela Dam.
“However, they have received nothing in return,” he said. “In the past, they have been deceived by Wapda which failed to compensate a majority of landowners as they had promised. Later, a large number of industrialists closed down their industries, leaving villagers jobless.”
According to Sikandar Hayat, villagers have now been deprived of their basic right to civic amenities after financial support was withdrawn from KMC. “The decision has exposed KMC to financial problems,” he said. “KMC owed over Rs9 million to Pesco and Rs4.1 million to private filling stations.”
Speaking on the occasion, Sajjad Khan, a tehsil council member from Khalabat, the failure to pay outstanding bills to filling stations has stopped the supply of fuel to KMC’s vehicles.
“As a result, officials have been unable to collect waste in the union council,” he said. “Pesco also plans to disconnect power supply to 16 tubewells and create a water shortage.”
According to Sajjad, Haripur district administration has received Rs2.38 billion from the provincial government since 2002. However, this amount was spent on the entire district.
“At least 25% of the funds allocated by the government were meant for uplift of communities affected by the construction of Tarbela Dam,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2015.