Rawalpindi Cantonment Board sets Rs1 billion tax recovery target

Approves steps to improve finances of Cantonment General Hospital

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), comprising both elected and nominated members, has set a target to recover Rs1 billion in residential and commercial taxes from the areas recently incorporated into the cantonment following the redrawing of the Islamabad–Rawalpindi boundary.

The board, during a meeting chaired by Brigadier Ali Najam Syed, President of the Cantonment Board and Station Commander, also decided to take steps to improve the financial performance of the Cantonment General Hospital, which is currently facing declining revenue, rising expenditures, and a surplus of staff.

The session was attended by Vice President Malik Munir Ahmed, Cantonment Executive Officer Chaudhry Amir Rasheed Warriach, and other board members. During the meeting, Brigadier Syed also administered the oath of office to Malik Abdul Samad Hussain, recently elected from Ward 8 in a by-election.

The board approved 74 residential and five commercial building plans, while expressing concern over inadequate parking facilities in commercial plazas and the unauthorised conversion of designated parking areas into shops. The members decided that strict enforcement and planning measures would be implemented to rectify the issue.

Officials informed the meeting that the procurement of medication for controlling stray dogs had been completed to protect residents from possible attacks.

The board also approved the establishment of a new marketplace at Bhata Chowk Ground, presently used for livestock trading, to enhance the cantonment's revenue generation.

It was further agreed that, pending the establishment of a permanent slaughterhouse, a temporary facility would be arranged to ensure hygienic animal slaughtering.

Responding to concerns raised by the traders' community regarding recently issued tax assessment notices, the board instructed that the Tax Assessment Committees review the matter for appropriate resolution.