Financial crunch takes toll on RCB workers
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has failed to disburse salaries to its employees for the month of December.
While employees in Grades 1 to 6 received their salaries on January 13, employees in Grades 7 to 18 are yet to be paid.
According to sources, the delay has become routine due to an imbalance between monthly expenses and income.
As a result, the payment of the first salary of 2025 is also delayed.
Sources said the cantonment board's monthly expenditure on salaries and pensions has reached Rs210 million.
In addition, it incurs further costs of Rs70 million for POL, utility bills, vehicle maintenance, workshops and other store items.
"With monthly expenses exceeding Rs280 crore, the recovery from sources of income is not aligned with these rising costs. This has led to delays in salary payments over the past several months, causing hardship for employees," they said.
The board's sources of income include property tax, property transfer tax, commercialisation fees, building plan fees, water recovery charges and issuance of death, birth, and marriage certificates.
However, due to limited growth in the tax base and over Rs1 billion in outstanding tax recoveries, which have now been classified as bad debts, the cantonment board is focused on recovering these arrears.
A significant portion of the dues is linked to ongoing court cases.
Despite this, the board has not initiated any major projects in recent years that could increase its monthly income or assets.
Several employees directly affected by the salary delays told The Express Tribune that not receiving their salaries on January 1 has made it difficult for them to meet essential expenses.
Many have been forced to borrow money in recent months due to delayed payments. However, now they are unable to borrow, as their debts remain unpaid. Outstanding bills for electricity, gas, and household goods have also become impossible to settle.
When contacted, the cantonment board's spokesperson said that employees in Grades 1 to 6 have already received their salaries.
He assured that employees in Grades 7 to 18 would receive their salaries in the next two to three days. He attributed the delay to lower-than-expected tax recovery in November and December.