RMC approves Rs6.82b surplus budget

The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Wednesday approved a Rs6.82 billion budget for the financial year 2024-25, with a surplus of Rs346.3 million.

The budget allocates Rs6.48 billion for development and non-development expenditure, which is less than the total income projected. Due to the absence of local body representatives, Rawalpindi Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak approved the budget as the administrator.

To be implemented from July 1, the new budget anticipates a total income of Rs3.45b from various sources. This includes Rs520m from urban immovable property tax (UIP), Rs550m from transfer property tax (TIP), Rs800m from commercialisation and Rs110m from building application fees.

Additionally, the budget expects to generate Rs150m from penalty compound fee, Rs1.85m from slaughterhouse lease, and Rs23m from Pirwadhai general bus stand entry fees. Further, the budget anticipates income from various other sources, including Rs18m from car parking fees, Rs321.3m from PFC, Rs3.334m from general bus stand shop lease, Rs8.3m from city shop lease, Rs3.2m from Suzuki stand, Rs2.9m from public washrooms, Rs60m from the rent of general bus stand shops, and Rs280m from rent of city shops.

The municipality has completed and paid Rs1.84b, out of a total of Rs2.30b allocations, for the ongoing development projects of the last fiscal year (FY24). The remaining amount of Rs460m will be spent on the city's road infrastructure, streets, drains and other constructions.

In the new financial year, the Authority has earmarked Rs1.96b for the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for various development schemes. Due to the absence of local body representatives, these development projects will be finalised in consultation with the members of the national and provincial Assemblies. Additionally, a separate allocation of Rs2b has been made for maintenance and repair (MOR) works. Furthermore, the municipal corporation has also earmarked Rs30m to purchase official vehicles for its officers, a move that has been long overdue for the past 20 years. The decision to purchase new vehicles has been prompted by the increasing maintenance costs of the old vehicles.

Moreover, a provision of Rs1.76b has been kept for non-developmental expenses. This includes an allocation of Rs610-620m for non-salary expenditures, out of which Rs360m will be spent on electricity bills, Rs40m on POL service delivery vehicles, Rs536m on increased salaries and financial support and Rs600m on pension.