Financial constraints: RCB to lay off ‘surplus’ staff

Board is also trying to expand its financial resources, says official

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has decided to gradually lay off “surplus” employees due to what it says financial constraints facing the municipal body.

The decision was made in a meeting of the cantonment board, chaired by its president Brig Syed Hassan Raza here on Tuesday that was also attended by the Vice-President Raja Muhammad Jahandad and its executive officer Dr Saima Shah.

However, RCB Vice-President Raja Muhammad Jahandad, when contacted, told The Express Tribune that the board would not lay off the employees. The board would, however, decide about the fate of the “surplus employees”.

The issue of increasing the number of elected members to the board was deferred till final decision of the federal government, and conduct of the next census in the country, said a press release issued by the board.

The meeting was informed that the board was unable to purchase a new ambulance for the Cantonment General Hospital due to shortage of funds.

It was also decided that the board would cut down finances set aside for ongoing development projects, due to financial constraints.

The board empowered Dr Shah to evaluate performance of the legal advisers and decide about hiring any additional advisers as suggested in a report submitted by the legal branch of the board.

The board members also decided to purchase land for dumping solid waste after the president examines the proposed site.

It was also decided to purchase new containers for collection of waste material.

The board also decided to start imposing fines on individuals dumping construction material waste in public spaces.

The civic officials were directed to make the process easier for obtaining new water connections, as well as issuance of birth and death certificates.

The board also approved purchase of a vehicle for its mobile complaint service.

The board decided to serve fresh notices to the tax defaulters to shore up RCB’s revenue.

Action will also be taken against defaulters following an assessment committee’s decision.

The vice-president said that the board was also taking steps to expand its financial resources.

Jahandad said that the board had decided to resolve long-pending tax default cases without further delay.

He said that the board had been trying to get extra funds from the Punjab and the federal governments.

Jahandad said that the elected members of the board had asked MNA Malik Abrar Ahmed, who was elected from cantonment area on ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, to secure special grants from the federal government.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.