RCB may give time to acquire building plans

Elected representatives tell board regularising old structures will increase revenue

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has agreed to consider giving a two to three year grace period to people who have built houses without building plan in the cantonment for acquiring the same.

These houses will also get allotted the CB numbers after the residents get the building plans approved during the given grace period.

The decision came during a meeting of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board where elected members insisted on getting the houses regulated.

The elected representatives of the people on RCB argued that thickly populated cantonment areas have numerous old constructions and houses which were made without any building plan. By allotting the CB number and an approval of building plan in the defined period, the cantonment board would be able to receive building planning fee, development charges, and property tax as well as water supply charges.

Earlier, the cantonment administration had banned to allot CB numbers to those houses which were built without a building plan.

Meanwhile, RCB has issued a warning to those who were using leased residential properties for commercial purposes directing them to stop the businesses within 30 days or else the lease of such properties will be cancelled.

According to RCB, if the violators fail to meet the deadline, then the Board will take strict action.

He informed that the civic body had also barred the illegal sale of petrol and diesel in the cantonment areas and notices were issued to owners of the agencies.

The RCB also decided to remove all the billboards and hoardings in line with directions received from the Supreme Court.

RCB was taking strict action against shopkeepers on the sale of energy drinks and unpacked spices, he said adding that a huge quantity of energy drinks and unpacked spices were confiscated during the last two weeks and several shopkeepers were also issued warnings on the violation.

He said the raids were being conducted in different cantt markets under the supervision of RCB Additional Cantonment Executive Officer.

The teams on the directive of RCB CEO Sibtain Raza also imposed fines on the shopkeepers who were selling energy drinks and unpacked spices.

To curb the menace of adulteration, the RCB has also banned the sale of open spices in its jurisdiction. The RCB food department started a crackdown to check the sale of unpacked spices.

With additional input by APP

 

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2019.