Uplift funds halted to aid power consumers

Sources say monsoon rains-led devastation of roads, streets will also be overlooked

RAWALPINDI:

Following verbal orders of the authorities concerned, the municipal bodies, the development authorities, the parks and horticulture authorities and the water and sanitation agencies have halted the use of funds for development projects in Rawalpindi and other cities from the budget of the fiscal year 2024-25.

The decision came after the Punjab government announced a subsidy of Rs45 billion for power consumers throughout the province. Further power subsidies are also expected. Consequently, the development funds for MNAs and MPAs have also been put on hold.

In Rawalpindi, the building department, the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), district council, tehsil councils, municipality, town committees, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the departments of health and education and other institutions have earmarked a significant budget for the annual development programme (ADP) and maintenance and repair (M&R) for the current financial year.

However, due to recent developments, these allocated funds are no longer being utilised. RMC had initially set aside a substantial amount of Rs1.98 billion for ADP and Rs2b for M&R. Despite these allocations, the funds remain unused.

Sources in RMC said that they have been barred from utilising the development budget. Funds allocated under M&R are not being utilised for essential tasks such as road repairs, street maintenance, sewerage fixes and restoration of damaged street lights.

The use of funds halted despite growing pressure from the public to repair roads and streets damaged owing to monsoon downpours.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner and Administrator District Council Hassan Waqar Cheema confirmed that the Punjab government had stopped using the development budget, consequently bringing all development projects to a grinding halt.

Meanwhile, the critical route between Rawalpindi and Azad Kashmir via Kahuta has been severely impacted, with a three-kilometre stretch of the road, lying in utter disarray, causing significant disruptions to the flow of traffic. This road is designated as the Defence Road. On this route, the ongoing work of road carpeting has been halted in an area of one kilometre near Kahuta Cross.

Furthermore, the road section from the Sihala police station, Humak Model Town to the Sihala Railway Gate has deteriorated completely, with deep potholes rendering it nearly impassable.