IMC session: CADD minister blamed for crippling local government

Opposition leader says Dr Chaudhry trying to push himself in the limelight ahead of general elections

ISLAMABAD: The State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) on Friday was blamed for rendering the capital’s nascent local government ineffective and unsuccessful.

During Friday’s session of the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre, presided over by IMC Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Riffat Javed, matters pertaining to recommendations from different committees of the corporation were discussed. The recommendations related to property tax, water conservancy charges and provision of water connections to various union councils from the main supply lines from Simly Dam.

Opposition leader in the IMC Ali Nawaz Awan accused Dr Chaudhry of deliberately crippling the local government, especially after Mayor Shaiekh Anser Aziz was removed from the post of Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman late last month. Elaborating on his accusation, Awan said that the CADD minister had aspirations that all development activities in the capital should be routed through him before the general elections.

Awan, who was elected on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs’ (PTI) ticket, pointed towards the recent inauguration of the Soan Interchange noting that the ceremony was performed by Dr Chaudhry soon after Aziz was deposed even though the project was completed by CDA. He added that this was a ploy by the CADD minister to garner greater attention ahead of the general elections.

“Due to his pathetic attitude, IMC’s rules of business have not been finalised for two years. Moreover, IMC’s establishment rules are also pending approval by the relevant ministries while union council (UC) chairmen still do not have offices,” the frustrated councilman said as he noted how Dr Chaudhry managed to amend CDA laws almost overnight to reduce the tenure of CDA chief and to allow bureaucrats to be appointed directly.

Property tax

On Friday, the house was briefed that consultants have been appointed for revision of property taxes and allied charges in the capital. Once the consultants submit their recommendations, they will be placed before the IMC for final approval.

Javed pointed out that before finalising recommendations, the consultants must speak to the committees constituted by the IMC in this regard so that workable and effective recommendations could be prepared.

Water issues

With fewer rains and the corresponding low levels in the Simly Dam forcing the CDA to halve supplies from the capital’s main water tap from 34 million gallons of water per day (mgd) to just 19 mgd, the IMC on Friday also discussed the issue of providing water connections to residents in rural areas of the capital.

In this regard, the IMC Water Supply director gave different suggestions.

The house agreed to remove illegal water connections from the main water supply line from Simly Dam. Chairmen of union councils two through eight along with the water supply director will ensure that these connections are removed. The house was further told that the Simly filtration plants are supposed to fulfil water requirements of Sectors F-5, F-6, F-7, F-8, G-5, G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, Quaid-i-Azam University and Faisal Mosque. Previously, water connections had been given to locals from three main conduction lines and they were supposed to supply 7 mgd to these sectors.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2018.