Civic bodies jack up service charges

Spark concerns of heightened financial burdens among residents

RAWALPINDI:

In compliance with directives from the Punjab government, local bodies in Rawalpindi district have initiated a substantial increase in service fees, aiming to generate additional revenue and foster self-sustainability.

These measures, set to take effect from July 1 as part of the New Financial Year 2024-25, encompass a wide range of sectors, sparking concerns among residents regarding heightened financial burdens.

One of the notable changes is the escalation of defecation fees in government latrines from Rs20 to Rs60. This fee adjustment, coupled with various other fee hikes, including those related to property mapping, marriage registrations, and transportation services, reflects a comprehensive restructuring of fee structures across multiple domains.

The District Council Rawalpindi's largest tehsil, Gujar Khan municipal committee, has already initiated the implementation of these fee revisions. Under the circular issued by the administrator municipal committee, fees for property mapping have surged significantly. For domestic houses, the map fee per square foot has surged from Rs7 to Rs15, while commercial property map fees have increased from Rs25 to Rs35 per square foot.

Moreover, fees associated with marriage registrations have witnessed substantial increments. The registration fee for a first marriage has surged from Rs500 to Rs2,000, with similar adjustments for second marriage registrations and unmarried certificates, which now stand at Rs2000 and Rs3000, respectively. Overseas Pakistanis registering marriages will face an increased fee of Rs10,000, doubling from the previous Rs5,000. Additionally, fees for services like license marriage registrar, divorce certificates, and record checks have undergone notable increases, affecting individuals seeking these services.

Transportation-related fees have also experienced considerable hikes, impacting commuters across various modes of travel. Entry and parking fees for buses, coasters, wagons, Suzuki Carry Dabbas, rickshaws, and taxis have all been raised significantly, posing challenges for daily commuters and transport operators alike.

Furthermore, fees associated with public advertising, including hoardings, LEDs, and float trucks, have seen substantial increases. These adjustments reflect an overarching strategy by local bodies to augment revenue streams by levying higher fees across multiple public services and amenities.

The revision of fees extends beyond tangible services to include administrative processes such as obtaining birth and death certificates, marriage certificates, and other legal documents. Urgent processing fees for these documents have also witnessed substantial increases, adding to the financial strain on residents seeking these essential services.

Additionally, fees related to water connections, disconnections, and water bills have undergone revisions, with a notable increase of 50 per cent in water bills. This hike, combined with other fee adjustments, underscores a broader effort by local bodies to bolster their financial sustainability and reduce dependency on external funding sources.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2024.