RCB to collect charges on commercial borewells

Governing board huddle approves waste transfer station, outsourcing of dumping solid waste

RAWALPINDI:

In a bid to streamline the water billing system, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has decided to install meters for monthly invoicing on boreholes while also setting a security fee for commercial borewells in the cantonment area.

The governing board also approved the establishment of a waste transfer station within the cantonment and outsourcing the process of dumping solid waste 35 kilometres away from its boundaries. The decisions were taken during a board meeting of the cantonment's elected and nominated members, presided over by its president Brigadier Salman Nazar.

Cantonment Executive Officer Imran Gulzar, Additional CEO Naveed Nawaz, Assistant Secretary Muhammad Riyasat, Vice President Malik Munir, and other elected and nominated members also attended the board meeting.

Sources said it was decided during the meeting that Rs15,000 will be submitted as a security deposit against each private boring well. The RCB will collect monthly water charges under this agreement. These charges will also apply to marriage halls, hotels, service stations, and other commercial centres.

The huddle also decided to curb violations of building bylaws, and other illegal practices at the Cantonment General Hospital. The board meeting approved various projects and building plans –residential and commercial maps – for different areas of the cantonment.

Extension in the employment tenures of doctors and other staff was accorded during the meeting besides the approval for house hiring for cantonment employees. Authorities approved an auction / rental bid for a tuck shop at the Cantonment General Hospital.

While approving the re-organisation of various committees, the governing body finalised quotation rates for the maintenance and repair of street lights and construction and repair works. It went on to authorise the cantonment executive officer to issue three consecutive notices on illegal constructions and take further action. However, the meeting was adjourned without discussing the newly introduced tax policy by the MLC department.

Meanwhile, the governing body of Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) allowed the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to sign an agreement with Saylani Welfare International Trust for the operation and maintenance of 128 filtration plants in the garrison city.

According to RDA Director General Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa, WASA was facing financial problems in the operation and maintenance of the filtration plants.

A spokesperson for RDA said, initially the NGO would undertake the up-gradation and operation of 30 filtration plants in urban areas. It would be sponsored initially for five years, which would be extendable based on mutual understanding in the best interest of citizens, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2022.