RMC to take action against tax defaulters
Teams conducted raids and the properties of tax defaulters were sealed. CREATIVE COMMONS
The Rawalpindi Commissioner Muhammad Mehmood has directed the Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) to seal the plazas whose owners have violated building bylaws and, despite being issued notices, failed to pay dues.
Chairing a meeting held at the RMC office the other day, he directed the authorities to finalise arrangements to launch a crackdown against the violators as the owners of several plazas were misusing the space meant for parking lots in violation of the bylaws.
The commissioner instructed the officers to launch an operation against such violators from next week, adding that the plaza owners had been asked to follow the law or face legal action. He maintained that the government is determined to ensure implementation of the relevant laws.
Mehmood also urged the owners of various buildings to ensure proper use of parking lots to avoid parking of vehicles on roads and in the streets.
Furthermore, the commissioner called for all graveyards to be cleaned and all possible precautionary measures should be taken to control dengue. Meanwhile, he asked the RMC officers to finalise arrangements for third phase of the auction of shops and flats of the metropolitan corporation which would start from March 15.
The commissioner was also briefed about several maters of the corporation. Chief Officer Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Ali Abbas Bukhari and all officers concerned were present on the occasion.
Education and health zones would include a hospital, colleges and universities while the recreational zones would boost tourism alongwith the establishment of a modern theme park, he said. It is pertinent to mention here that Ring Road is a much needed project for the twin cities as the citizens face difficulties on daily basis due to traffic gridlocks at several roads including Rawalpindi city’s main artery, Murree Road.
Mehmood said that the objective to construct the Ring Road was to improve economic connectivity and road transport efficiency in twin cities through constructing a Ring Road and associated facilities. The district government had started paying compensation amount to the owners of the land being acquired for Rawalpindi Ring Road Project, he added.
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Punjab government wanted to launch the project as soon as possible to boost business activities in the region and end traffic congestion problem on the city roads. He said modern Economic Zones would be developed under RRRP and the Punjab government would encourage the industrialists and provide all possible facilities to the investors under the project.
He said the land price of the zones particularly truck terminals, whole sale markets and mandis would notice an upward trend as the foundation stone of the project would be laid.
The commissioner said it is high time to invest in all zones of RRR as it’s a golden opportunity and the business community should avail the chance.
He said that the administration of truck and bus terminals have been given two years to plan for shifting out of the city areas as with the completion of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, heavy transport would not be allowed to enter the city.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2021.