Civic bodies mull new budget with increased taxes

Intending to increase the ratios of taxes and fees on multiple services, all seven local government and development departments in the Rawalpindi district have started preparations for the upcoming budget for the financial year 2024-25.

Due to a severe economic and financial crunch, the provincial government has decided not to allocate additional funds or bailout packages to developmental and municipal institutions in the new budget. Instructions have been issued to all institutions to meet all their expenses and become self-reliant.

The Municipal Corporation, the District Council, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), WASA, the Cantonment Board Rawalpindi, the Cantonment Board Chaklala and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) have accelerated the preparation of the new budget.

The provincial budget is expected to be presented in the first week of June. After the provincial and federal budgets are presented, the budgets of all these local institutions will be presented. Since there are no local bodies, the administrators of these bodies will approve the budget.

Fees for property rent, water, document photos, marriage registration and death certificates are being increased in the budget. No local institution could achieve revenue targets during the current financial year.

All seven agencies have begun a vigorous tax collection campaign against defaulters to recover up to a 48% of shortfall before June 30, 2024.

Published in The Express Tribune May 10^th, 2024.