RCB cuts costs to ensure daily water supply in cantt areas

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has advised cuts in operation and maintenance expenditure of Rs850 million to ensure daily supply of water in the cantonment areas.

The decision, taken in light of an intense water crisis, follows the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC)’s formula and ensures a solution to the problem from the Khanpur Water Supply Project. The recommendation was given in a meeting led by Cantonment Board President Brig Shahzad Tanveer.

In order to boost up the earnings of the board, the meeting decided to award a contract for Mall Plaza’s digital screen for Rs5.5 million, and another Rs5.8 million contract for installation of digital screens in other areas of Cantt was also approved.

Offers for the contracts were given in an open auction. The meeting also decided to improve the payment collection system for property tax and water charges. Members of the meeting also finalised the recommendations for resolving water crisis in Cantt.  Chief among the recommendations included a resolve to ensure a daily supply of 49 million gallons as per the ECNEC formula. Only 15 million gallons of water is currently being supplied.

Keeping in view the weak financial position of the cantonment board, the meeting also advised to write off Rs850 million of operation and maintenance expenditures acquired in respect of Khanpur Water Supply Project.

The decision to make use of ice ball in case of fire emergencies in cantt areas was also taken. As a pilot project, the board approved installation of 50 ice ball kits each costing Rs100,000. Approval for regularisation of three commercial building plans and approval for seven old grand lease cases was also given. The board making amendments in the present by laws approved building plans as per new rules.

Furthermore, the board approved extension in employment tenure of 18 doctors and teachers and approved a contract for five compactors meant to improve the system of sanitation and garbage collection and disposal. The meeting also made the decision to appoint an elective medical engineer and form a committee for provision of elective medical equipment. Furthermore, approval for coverage of medical expenditures incurred by family members of the cantonment officials was also given. In addition, approval for water supply, street and road repairs, and sewerage schemes recommended by board members was also given.

The session was attended by a large number of board officials including Executive Officer Sibtain Raza, Vice President Malik Munir Ahmed, Cantonment Board members Malik Sajid Mehmood, Malik Muhammad Usman, Rasheed Ahmed Khan, Raja Jahandad Khan, Haji Zafar Iqbal, Malik Mansoor, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Malik, Shahid Mughal and Minority Member Yousuf Gul.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2018.