logo
RCB prepares Rs7.5b interim budget

RCB prepares Rs7.5b interim budget

Express Tribune30-04-2025
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board has prepared an interim, balanced budget amounting to Rs7.5954 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26.
The preliminary approval was granted during a board meeting attended by both elected and nominated members, while the final approval will be issued by the competent authority, the regional director of Military Lands and Cantonments (MLC).
According to sources, the new budget allocates Rs350 million for new works and Rs320 million for maintenance and repairs (M&R).
An amount of Rs3.208 billion has been set aside for pensions. A significant portion of the budget will be spent on non-developmental expenditures, including utilities such as electricity, gas, telephone, POL (petroleum, oil, lubricants), stores, workshops, water supply, and sanitation.
The previous fiscal year's budget (2024–25) stood at Rs6.59971 billion, with Rs500 million allocated to original works and Rs310 million to M&R.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Austrian co has shown interest in ML-1 project construction, Senate body meeting told
Austrian co has shown interest in ML-1 project construction, Senate body meeting told

Business Recorder

time6 days ago

  • Business Recorder

Austrian co has shown interest in ML-1 project construction, Senate body meeting told

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Railways Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, Monday, revealed that Pakistani Ambassador in Austria recently has informed a delegation of Pakistani senators that an Austrian company has expressed interest in the construction of ML-1 project. While chairing the Senate Standing Committee on Railways meeting here, Senator Saifullah Khan suggested the Federal Ministry of Railways to consider this option too. Responding to the chairman, federal secretary Ministry of Railways said that allowing other than China's participation in the construction of the project will require international bidding. The secretary railways, briefing the committee on the subject of Punjab government's investment in the rail development, said that the Pakistan Railways (PR) has identified eight routes including Rawalpindi-Lahore to the Punjab government for investment. Recently, the government of Punjab has expressed readiness to invest Rs350 billion in the uplift of railway network in Punjab. Taking part in the debate, Senator Shahadat Awan expressed serious concerns on financial losses, corruption, and railway accidents over the past five years. Awan slammed the ministry for repeatedly providing inaccurate and delayed information to the committee, terming it a breach of privilege and a failure to comply with parliamentary directives. He noted that despite three reminders and a referral to the privileges committee, the ministry had yet to submit correct and complete data. Awan emphasised that the ministry must fix responsibility on officials who misled the committee and failed to deliver the promised information within the agreed timelines. He underscored that over 3,200 FIRs had been registered, and despite promises made during previous meetings, including assurances of revised records within 15 days, accurate figures were still pending. Chairman Senator Jam Saifullah Khan expressed deep concern over the lack of seriousness shown by the ministry in responding to the committee's directives. He said the provision of incorrect or incomplete data not only hinders the committee's oversight role but also raises serious questions about internal accountability mechanisms. The committee asked the ministry to take the matter seriously and ensure that officials responsible for misinformation are identified and action is taken against them. The chairman emphasised that the committee expects due diligence and transparency, especially in cases where millions in public funds are at stake. He directed that complete details of all FIRs, pending investigations, conviction statuses, and recovery efforts must be submitted ahead of the next meeting. He stressed that implementation of court decisions and audit findings must be tracked and shared with the committee. The ministry informed the committee that a total of 3,230 FIRs had been filed during the last five years, citing theft, embezzlement, and misuse of authority. Of the Rs212.883 million in reported property losses, Rs109.487 million had been recovered. The secretary Ministry of Railways admitted that earlier reports were inconsistent due to confusion between calendar and fiscal years but stated that the data has since been reconciled. He added that 1,555 accused have been convicted, while 309 have been acquitted and 1080 cases remain under trial. However, Senator Awan questioned the ministry's failure to disclose progress on several long-pending FIRs and called for disclosure of reopened and unresolved cases, along with full police cooperation. The committee also reviewed the Karachi–Rohri railway line under the ML-1 project, which the ministry identified as a strategic bottleneck in the national rail network. Secretary Railways apprised the committee that the ministry is exploring alternate financing options with development partners. The chairman committee emphasised the need to assess the feasibility of public-private partnerships. The ministry assured the committee that financing routes beyond CPEC are being actively pursued and acknowledged the need for urgent investment to sustain railway operations. Jam Saifullah Khan further raised the issue of railway land encroachment, particularly in Karachi, where the value of occupied land runs into billions. He called for a transparent mechanism to recover and monetise underutilised high-value land assets, adding that the revenue could potentially fund critical infrastructure. He pointed out that corruption complaints continue to surface, particularly related to commercial land holdings, and directed the ministry to submit a clear policy for land management and recovery. The committee also took stock of outdated infrastructure and the unavailability of train services in underserved areas such as Balochistan. Senator Saifullah urged the ministry to prioritise operational efficiency and ensure equitable service provision across all provinces. He concluded the meeting by stating that the committee will reconvene before the end of next month and expects full compliance with its directives, including the submission of all pending records, the status of disciplinary actions, and updates on strategic projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Property tax surge sends buyers reeling
Property tax surge sends buyers reeling

Express Tribune

time6 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Property tax surge sends buyers reeling

With the start of the new fiscal year 2025–26, a massive hike in commercial and residential property registry fees across Rawalpindi district has left citizens and buyers deeply troubled. Along with this increase, a building map fee has also been imposed on buyers. While advance tax on property registration has been reduced by 1.5 per cent, the gain tax has been raised by the same margin. Deputy Commissioners across the district have increased DC rates in all commercial and domestic zones by 10 per cent to 20 per cent. These changes have led to a sharp spike in registry costs. According to the revised rates and taxes, the complete registry fee for a five-marla house has soared to Rs350,000. In the commercial sector, registry costs have gone up by Rs500,000 to Rs1 million. Despite the hike in taxes, gain tax and map fee, the online challan fee payment system remains non-functional. As a result, even ten days into the new fiscal year, not a single registry or power of attorney has been processed. At Rawalpindi Cantonment and City Tehsil offices, registry work remains stalled. Registrations have been halted since June 15 and have yet to resume. According to the Property Registrar Office, the new DC rates have not yet been uploaded to the registry app. The app will only open for new registries once the updated rates are uploaded in the next three days. Stamp Vendors Union Secretary General Sheikh Mudasir said that this year has brought extreme financial pressure on property buyers. For a new registry, buyers must pay 1 per cent stamp duty, 1 per cent municipal corporation duty, 4.5 per cent gain tax, 2per cent map fee, 1per cent FBR e-tax, 0.10per cent online processing fee, and 1.5per cent cantonment board fee. This brings the total to 10.5per cent of the property's value for filers and up to 18per cent for non-filers. Property Dealers Association Vice President Hassan Shah said that the excessive increase in fees and taxes has opened doors for loopholes. Now buyers will declare residential properties as dilapidated structures to reduce costs with insider collusion, bringing down expenses by nearly 20 per cent. This will not only result in significant government revenue loss but also promote tax evasion and increase transactions through power of attorney, bypassing proper registration. Billing delay halts property trades Twenty-one days into the new fiscal year, residents of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards are facing difficulties as new billing for property tax, water charges, and other revenues has yet to be issued. Sources said delays in issuing computerised bills under the new tariff - which includes a 150pc to 200pc increase in water and conservancy charges - have completely stalled property transactions and related services. Despite the old tariff being applicable to outstanding dues, billing of arrears has also been linked to the new system. As a result, citizens seeking to clear dues and complete sale or purchase of properties are being told to wait. Speaking to media, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board spokesperson Imran Habib said the new bills, including outstanding dues and revised charges, are being finalised. The delay, he added, was due to incorporating revised tariffs approved in the recent board meeting. He assured that billing would be issued within the next couple of days.

RCB cuts spending, hikes water charges
RCB cuts spending, hikes water charges

Express Tribune

time15-07-2025

  • Express Tribune

RCB cuts spending, hikes water charges

The competent authority has approved the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board's budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 with a cut of Rs485.7 million, reducing the original proposal from Rs7.436 billion to a revised estimate of Rs6.951 billion. The cuts were primarily made in the allocations for miscellaneous expenses and maintenance & repair works. According to details, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board had initially passed the Rs7.436 billion budget in a board meeting for the 10-ward densely populated cantonment area and submitted it to the Director of Military Lands and Cantonments, Rawalpindi Region, for final approval. The approved budget includes: Rs3.208 billion for salaries and pensions (approved without any deductions), Rs1.542 billion for miscellaneous expenses (after a Rs34 million cut), Rs600 million for general works (approved in full), Rs385 million for maintenance and repair (after a Rs59 million cut), For comparison, the authority had imposed Rs800 million in cuts in the previous 2024-25 budget. According to Cantonment Board sources, the board achieved 86% performance against last year's budget targets. Despite the new budget, residents continue to face serious issues in the cantonment area — particularly in the densely populated back-end localities, which contrast sharply with the well-developed front areas. Problems include broken roads and streets, lack of street lighting, poor sanitation, a faulty sewerage system, encroachments, unregulated commercial activity in residential areas, and widespread illegal construction. The most pressing concern remains the lack of access to drinking water. Due to the absence of a proper water supply network, many residents are forced to install private borewells at their own expense. Adding to public frustration, the Cantonment Board has now increased water supply charges and sanitation taxes by 100% to 200% in the post-budget board meeting. In protest, elected members walked out of the session and announced they would challenge the decision in the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench. RMC prioritises uplift projects Our correspondent The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) approved an annual budget worth Rs8.80 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, featuring a surplus balance of Rs442.5 million. Municipal Corporation Administrator and Rawalpindi Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak sanctioned the budget after detailed discussions on the proposals presented by Chief Officer Imran Ali. According to the official budget figures, the total resources — comprising last year's closing balance, the opening balance for the new fiscal year, and projected revenue collections — stand at Rs8.80 billion. Of this, Rs2.30 billion has been allocated for non-development expenditures, including salaries and pensions, with a special provision of Rs800 million reserved exclusively for pension payments. The development budget has been allocated at Rs6.04 billion. Key allocations under the development budget include Rs1.92 billion for ongoing development schemes, Rs1.90 billion for new annual development programmes (ADP), Rs2 billion earmarked for road carpeting and infrastructure rehabilitation, Rs176.1 million designated for sports and cultural activities. During the current fiscal year, the Municipal Corporation plans to prioritise the completion of several ongoing and new development schemes. These include carpeting of city roads, construction and repair of streets, upgrades to the drainage and sewerage systems, construction and maintenance of nullahs, installation of streetlights, and establishment of an underground cable network in Raja Bazaar and Commercial Market.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store