RDA officials rebuked over plaza dispute

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi Commissioner and Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Director General Salman Ghani has expressed displeasure with the RDA administration over the Parking Plaza issue and taken notice of the Director State Management retaining her charge while attending a course.

The commissioner also directed the RDA administration to introduce biometric attendance for directors, in addition to other officers and employees.

According to sources, the commissioner visited the RDA office on Saturday and summoned the Additional Director General and other senior officers to his office. He expressed displeasure over the termination of the contract for the Parking Plaza at Fawara Chowk and the contractor's refusal to pay outstanding dues amounting to Rs48.2 million.

He also questioned why the authority had not accepted the contractor's offer to immediately pay Rs15 million against the outstanding amount.

The commissioner was informed that after remaining closed for 20 days, the Parking Plaza had been reopened and RDA staff were currently collecting parking fees. He was further told that the plaza's contract would be re-auctioned on August 17.

When asked about her absence, the Director State Management said she was attending a course and was also shifting her residence, due to which she could not report to the office. The commissioner expressed displeasure, saying that official work could not be managed in this manner.

He also reprimanded the Director Administration over her late arrival at the office. She explained that she had gone out after obtaining short leave from the Additional DG.

The commissioner directed all officers to ensure discipline, good governance and improved performance. He further ordered that, henceforth, RDA directors would also mark biometric attendance like other officers and employees.