The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) approved its first budget for the year 2021-22 after the restoration of the local bodies by the Supreme Court.
RMC Mayor Sardar Naseem Khan presented the tax-free surplus budget of Rs4.20 billion which the house unanimously approved.
The mayor said that two annual budgets and a semi-annual budget were presented.
He said the PTI-led government only let them work for 17 months and they got justice from the top court after a hiatus of over 2 years.
The mayor said nobody will be allowed to dissolve the local bodies before the completion of tenure.
Sardar Naseem said Rs 2.28 billion has been allocated for development projects while the projects of the dissolved metropolitan corporation will continue.
PPP UC Chairman Anjum Farooq Paracha said that the period in which they were not allowed to work should be compensated. At this, the mayor said that he had filed a contempt of court petition against the Punjab chief minister in this regard.
PTI UC chairman Azhar Iqbal Satti slammed his party saying that the Supreme Court had restored the local bodies. Satti said that they were ready to leave PTI if required and demanded the government to tender an apology with the citizens of Rawalpindi.
The PTI UC chairman criticized his party for abolishing local bodies, terming it tantamount to killing.
He added that abolition of institutions did not lead to the development and he was going to be with Sardar Naseem if he ran for the slot of the next mayor.
UC Chairman Raja Haji Arshad said that the roads in the residential area of the Commercial Market have been commercialised and demanded to take back the decision.
During the budget session, members raised slogans in favour of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
RMC Mayor Sardar Naseem said that he will continue to serve the citizens without any discrimination. He said that he has filed another contempt of court petition against the chief minister.
The mayor assured the house members that they would finalise all recommendations at the next meeting.
Members Dr Shafqat Malik Malik Sultan, Abdul Ghayyur Butt and others termed PTI UC Chairman Azhar Iqbal Satti stance bold.
The house also offered prayers for the deceased chairman Khursheed Qureshi.
Mayor Sardar Naseem informed the house that funds have been increased in the budget for development schemes while non-development expenditure has been reduced.
He said that the development schemes will be finalised in consultation with the house members.
The mayor said in his opinion, article 103 (4) of local did not apply to them although the government has directed them to prepare development schemes for only eight months as the apex court has restored the local bodies completely.
After the budget meeting, the mayor said the people have become upset with the government and instead of testing the patience of the people, general elections should be held immediately.
Otherwise, he added, the situation may get out of control and there will be chaos everywhere because of inflation and unemployment in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2021.
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