The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) could not form nine committees headed by public representatives to run important affairs, which has led to the delay of important decisions.
Owing to the delay in the formation of committees, issues related to approval of new building plans, tax, sanitation system, education and others could not be taken up.
Even after two board meetings, the role of elected members remained confined to only talks.
According to the rules of business of the cantonment board, the most important matters were carried out by nine different committees headed by elected public representatives. These committees consist of elected public representatives and nominated members.
However, despite two board meetings, the process of formation of five committees on arbitration, education, sanitation, marketing and accounts could not be completed.
The formation of two building committees and two assessment committees have been postponed so far despite the matter coming up twice in the board meeting.
It should be noted that a new building plan cannot be approved in the absence of building committees.
This prevents the Cantonment board from collecting revenue and also bars residential and commercial construction in the area.
Similarly, due to the absence of two assessment committees, the administrative machinery imposes taxes on the citizens on its own and there is no forum to provide relief to the citizens against the undue taxes.
On the one hand, the citizens are not getting the right of appeal and they are being forced to pay the taxes fixed by the revenue department.
The process of sealing properties of the citizens who do not pay property tax is under way in the absence of the relevant committee.
Similarly, in the absence of a sanitation committee, no action can be taken by the public representatives related to sanitation work in their wards.
The lack of a market committee has led to increasing encroachments and hygiene problems in markets across Cantonment.
The same is true about accounts and education committees.
The non-formation of the most important arbitration committee has also affected the issuance of certificates or arbitration in divorce matters.
RCB spokesman Qaiser Mahmood said that according to the law, it is not necessary to form committees consisting of elected members. He said that the old committees were working till new ones were formed.
He said that the issue of the formation of new committees was discussed in the last board meeting but due to differences of opinion, the matter has been postponed till the next board meeting which will be held soon.
On the other hand, some elected members said that for the first time in Chaklala Cantonment Board, the two most important building and assessment committees have been handed over to the nominated members instead of the elected members. They said that the matter of formation of committees in the RCB has been put on hold to follow the example of the Chaklala Cantonment Board.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2022.
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