KMC cuts fee for sacrificial animals ahead of Ediul Azha

With the Eidul Azha approaching, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) taking a popular decision discounted the fee for sacrificial animals entering the cattle market.

Moreover, the KMC general council meeting held Tuesday at KMC Council Hall, approved the parking fee collection from valet services operating outside the marriage halls.

A total of 13 resolutions were passed unanimously at the meeting chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

Deputy Mayor, Salman Abdullah Murad, and Municipal Commissioner, SM Afzal Zaidi also attended the meeting.

The resolutions included congratulating Asif Ali Zardari on winning the election as President of Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on his election as Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, and Asifa Bhutto Zardari on her unopposed election as Member of National Assembly from NA-207 and her appointment as First Lady. Members of the house also congratulated Najmi Alam on his appointment as Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh and Wahab on his appointment as spokesperson for the government of Sindh.

A resolution was also passed to form a 12-member committee to further consider improving the services of KMC hospitals under public-private partnership.

Similarly, the KMC Council passed a resolution to reduce the fee on animals entering the cattle markets for Eidul Azha. The corporation will now charge Rs600 for every cow, bull, and camel instead of the earlier Rs1,000. Similarly, the fee for goats and sheep has been reduced by Rs200 per head from Rs500 to Rs300 per goat, sheep, and other animals.

A resolution was also passed regarding the use of valet parking by the marriage hall administration and the imposition of KMC's fees under its charged parking department. According to the resolution, the administrations of marriage halls will have to pay Rs5,000 to KMC every month for 400-500 square yards, Rs10,000 for 600 square yards, and Rs15,000 for 1,000 square yards.

The name of the pediatric department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital was also approved to be named after Wasila Jahan.

A detailed discussion was held on the issue of K-Electric's load shedding and overbilling, and a resolution was passed condemning K-Electric's actions. The resolution stated that K-Electric has worsened load shedding in the city, and despite being privatized for 18 years, has not increased electricity generation or eliminated load shedding from Karachi. The resolution demanded that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) take immediate notice and action against K-Electric and ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply to the citizens of Karachi. It was proposed that instead of K-Electric, the citizens of Karachi may be supplied electricity from the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC).

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2024.