The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has failed to achieve its target of collecting property tax from commercial outlets during the outgoing fiscal year, ending on June 30 despite the addition of new units.
The RCB had set the target of Rs958.143 million in property tax for the year 2021-22, however, only Rs846 million in property tax could be recovered till June 30 with a shortfall of 112.11 million against the set target.
The shortfall of about 112.11 million against the target set by director MLC has raised many questions about the performance of the tax recovery department.
The RCB had recovered property tax of Rs83.31 million last year and with a 15 per cent increase in tax recovery target as compared to the last year, Rs958.143 million was to be recovered this year.
The property tax recovery from Saddar Bazaar, the main centre for tax collection, was set at Rs397.52 million and Rs345.676 million, however, the tax department was able to recover only Rs370 million till June 30 with a shortfall of 27.27 million.
Sources claimed that sector heads of the property tax department of the RCB have been appointed on favouritism and many seniors have been sidelined.
The sources also raised questions regarding the appointment of staff in key positions in the RCB.
Earlier, the RCB had drastically increased property tax and development charges under Section 25 of the Cantonment Act without taking the elected representative on board.
The RCB had increased the rate of taxes in terms of development charges, security, commercialisation, mutation, non-utilisation fees etc.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2022.
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