Local representatives get ‘protocol package’

A special protocol package for the elected representatives was approved in the first board meeting of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB).

The elected members and their families will be able to avail themselves of free medical treatment at Cantonment General Hospital (CGH) like other employees of the RCB. Besides this, each member will get a focal person and a driver under the package.

The first board meeting of RCB was chaired by RCB President Salman Nazar. Two members elected on reserved seats took oath while Malik Munir Ahmed from PML-N was unanimously elected as the vice-president.

Notably, the general public who elect their representatives to the RCB does not have free treatment facilities at the Cantonment General Hospital (CGH).

During the tenure of the previous provincial government, the CGH was up-gradated at a cost of Rs530 million and Rs150 million per annum were given for five consecutive years for expenditures.

A CT scan machine was also installed in the hospital with the funding of the federal government along with the establishment of different departments.

Only the employees of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards along with employees of cantonment headquarters were previously entitled to free treatment.

Further, the meeting also approved the reformation of five important committees with the inclusion of all members. The board meeting has also decided to revisit the astronomical rise in property tax, development charges, and commercialisation fees.

Meanwhile, the annual tax of Rs120,000 was imposed on wedding halls as cleanliness charges have been reduced to Rs50,000.

In this regard, RCB spokesperson Qaiser Mehmood confirmed the decisions have been taken, however, they will be enforced only after formal notification.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2021.