Cantt residents get tax instalment relief

RCB revives key panels, says future tariffs will be set through mutual consultation

RAWALPINDI:

A key consultative session, convened between the elected members of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and the Cantonment Executive Officer (REO), on Tuesday, took key decisions, including approval of an installment plan for residents against tax notices.

Chaired by RCB Vice President Malik Munir Ahmed, the meeting approved two items from the reform agenda put forward by the VP and members.

The remaining proposals will be considered after further deliberation and clearance from the competent authority. Other matters pertaining to the board's agenda will also be decided through this forum.

It was agreed that residents served with higher-value tax notices would be granted the option of paying in three instalments. It was further decided that committees comprising elected and nominated members, together with government officials, would resume regular meetings. These include the assessment, building, bazaar, health, education, and finance Committees, whose sessions had not taken place for the past three months.

Those present included Board Members Rashid Khan, Haji Zafar Iqbal, Malik Tahir Ayub, Arshad Qureshi, Chaudhry Abdul Shakoor, Malik Amjad Ali Khan, Malik Sagheer Ahmed, Malik Usman, and Khurram Shehzad Gill. CEO Amir Rasheed attended along with Additional CEO Zia Hussain, Deputy CEO Nasir Kamal, Assistant Secretary Imran Habib, and Senior Engineer Ateeq-ur-Rehman Chaudhry.

During the discussions, it was further agreed in principle that future tariff impositions would be finalised through mutual consultation. Members recommended that, instead of applying the Deputy Commissioner's 5 per cent rate for commercialisation, the Cantonment Zoning Policy of 2022 should be implemented.

They further proposed that buildings already bearing CB numbers and currently in commercial use should be regularised through development charges only, without the imposition of composition or commercialisation fees. A dedicated self-assessment policy could also be framed in this regard.

Members additionally suggested that businesses dealing in essential food items should be charged strictly in line with their licence fees, and not subjected to sealing orders, to prevent the wastage of perishable goods.

Other recommendations included assigning sanitation staff to each ward in proportion to its population, ensuring adequate diesel supply for sanitation vehicles, and prompt repair of out-of-service vehicles.

Survey to map income, education

The government has decided to launch a province-wide Socio-Economic Survey to assess the economic and social conditions of households and families.

The survey will begin on October 15 and continue for three months, concluding on January 15, 2026. For this purpose, the Punjab government has engaged 15,000 teachers through the Education Department.

From Rawalpindi district alone, 1,257 teachers have been deputed, including 793 from Rawalpindi Tehsil, 178 from Gujar Khan, 59 from Kahuta, 56 from Kallar Syedan, and 171 from Taxila.

The survey will collect detailed data from households across Punjab.