Subpar services irk elected representatives

Cantt board members express concern over water distribution disparities, tax policies

RAWALPINDI:

Elected representatives from Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards have jointly voiced their apprehensions regarding the unresolved issues citizens face during meetings aimed at directly addressing public concerns.

The representatives have urged competent authorities to institute reforms, citing several pressing issues including water distribution disparities, delayed maintenance of tube wells, inadequate graveyard facilities, tax policies, cleanliness standards, and commercialisation notices.

In a recent joint meeting, key figures such as Vice President of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board Malik Munir Ahmed, former Vice President Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Malik, along with Members Malik Tahir Ayub, Malik Amjad Ali Khan, Rashid Ahmad Khan, Chaudhry Abdul Shakoor, Malik Sagheer Ahmed, Malik Imran, Arshad Mehmood Qureshi, and Khurram Gul were present. Similarly, Vice President of Chaklala Cantonment Board Khalid Mehmood Mirza, former Vice President Raja Irfan Imtiaz, Members Chaudhry Changaiz Khan, Chaudhry Khurram Siddique, Raja Pervaiz Akhtar, Muhammad Jameel, Yasir Qureshi, Malik Azhar Naeem, Ajmer Khan, Chaudhry Nauman Shaukat, and Chaudhry Shehzad Ahmed participated in the deliberations.

The elected representatives highlighted grave concerns over the water supply situation, particularly the unequal distribution of water from the Khanpur Dam Water Supply Project. This disparity has led citizens to resort to purchasing water, adversely impacting their daily lives. Moreover, delays in repairing damaged tube wells have further exacerbated the water supply disruptions.

Another focal point of contention was the uniform tax policy, which the representatives argued was burdensome for citizens, hindering their ability to meet tax obligations. They called for a revision of this policy to alleviate financial strains on residents while also potentially boosting the Cantonment Board's revenue.

Commercialisation notices issued to citizens were also scrutinized, with representatives deeming them unjust and adding to public grievances. The performance of the sanitation department was criticised as subpar, raising concerns about public health risks such as dengue and other potential epidemics.

Graveyard facilities emerged as a critical issue, with concerns raised about the lack of available space for new graves in existing cemeteries. The delay in operationalizing lands allocated for new cemeteries in Rakh Dhamyal and the absence of appointed staff for grave allocations further compounded this issue, posing significant challenges for the public.

The joint meeting concluded with a unified call for immediate reforms to address these pressing concerns and improve the overall quality of life for citizens in Rawalpindi and Chaklala.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2024.