Fearing PM’s wrath: CDA mulls how to put best face forward

City managers to present details of projects, progress so far.

ISLAMABAD:

For their first presentation before the premier, city managers want to ensure they make the right impression.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) top officials on Monday slogged over the civic agency’s performance review.

They are preparing their case to justify recent decisions and get a green signal for priority projects from the government.

The PM office has asked the CDA chief to make a presentation on the civic agency’s performance as well as reports on the progress on the Kashmir Highway project and back-to-back land auctions to generate revenue, according to a CDA official requesting anonymity.

Talking to The Express Tribune CDA Chairman Tahir Shahbaz said, “It’s just a report, not an explanation or an inquiry.” CDA has prioritised certain projects which will be presented to the PML-N government.  Foremost among them is a plan for the provision of transport and affordable housing for residents, he stated.

“The presentation will be on CDA’s revenue-generating plans and on ways to curtail non-development expenditure, opening of new sectors and resumption of work on stalled residential sectors, launching of a transport system and adequate provision of water to the residents,” said Shahbaz. The PM office had not confirmed the date for the presentation, he added.

Regarding the preparation of a report on CDA’s selling spree, an official of the finance wing said CDA would inform the government that it was the sole source of income for the civic agency and the only option if it was to continue running its day-to-day affairs in the absence of a comprehensive policy to generate revenue.



After the incumbent chairman took over the agency last October, CDA held four land auctions, the latest of which took place last month, he stated. “The premier will also be informed that another auction is planned for June 21.”

A plan estimated to cost Rs11 billion, which aims to rehabilitate damaged main water supply pipelines, which cause wastage of 30 per cent of 60-70 million gallons daily, is also part of the presentation. Similarly, the PM will also be informed about CDA’s plan to widen roads and establish a national bus terminal in the capital.

Meanwhile, at a CDA board meeting held on Monday at the CDA Headquarters, it was decided that residential sectors C-15 and C-16 would be opened by August.

The board members objected to the high prices of plots in the sectors suggested by the CDA Member Estate, said an official who attended the meeting, adding that the Member Estate had been asked to consult the Member Finance and revise the prices to attract more buyers.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2013.