Latest news with #RawalpindiCantonmentBoard
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Flood-hit Pindi swamped by waste, stench
Seventeen hours after devastating floods inundated low-lying areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the receding waters left behind a hazardous trail of destruction across the city and disease outbreaks in several neighbourhoods on Thursday. Streets, markets, homes, and shops were not only waterlogged but now littered with rotting garbage, foul-smelling black sludge from choked sewers, and carcasses of dead rats, lizards, cats, cockroaches, and other insects, creating a severe health hazard and sparking disease outbreaks in several vicinities. As the waters withdrew, an unbearable stench spread through the streets and homes, compelling residents, primarily women, to begin cleaning their houses with clean water. Locals also took it upon themselves to sweep away sewage-contaminated debris that had accumulated in front of their homes and in the surrounding streets. The post-flood landscape resembled an abandoned, desolate town. Despite the passage of an entire day since the water receded on Thursday, no sanitation teams from the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), or Rawalpindi Solid Waste Management Company (RSWMC) had arrived to begin cleanup. Similarly, not a single official from federal and provincial ministers to members of the assembly, the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, or representatives of relevant departments visited the flood-stricken areas. Their absence, reportedly driven by fear of public outrage, only added to residents' frustration. Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqas Cheema, along with other officials, instead surveyed the situation from the Gawalmandi bridge under heavy police security. From that vantage point, they gestured toward the floodwater, seemingly downplaying the severity of the situation before retreating to their offices or homes. Although the powerful floodwaters had initially helped flush out clogged drains, the debris, sludge, and trash left behind were swept back into the drains by residents during their cleanup efforts. Throughout the flooding, many citizens also disposed of household and commercial waste directly into the drainage systems. Dengue control operations across the city were completely suspended on Thursday due to the flooding. Concerned citizens urgently called for fumigation and disinfection of all flood-affected areas to prevent the outbreak of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. The DC announced that citywide sanitation efforts would commence Friday in the affected zones. Orders have reportedly been issued to all relevant field staff to carry out comprehensive cleanup operations.
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
RCB delivers utility shock
Despite objection and walkout, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) approved on Wednesday a drastic increase in water and sanitation charges for its domestic and commercial consumers, effective July 1, 2025, the start of the new fiscal year. Drinking water charges for cantonment residents will see an increase of 100% to 200%, while conservancy charges (sanitation fees) will go up by as much as 250%. Commercial water charges and sanitation taxes have also been multiplied several times over. The decision was passed with a two-vote majority during a meeting of the Board. However, the vice president and 10 elected members rejected the decision, submitting a written dissenting note and staging a walkout from the board meeting. The board meeting, chaired by RCB President Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz, was attended by VP Malik Munir Ahmed and 11 elected members, 12 nominated government members, the RCB President as the thirteenth member, and Cantonment Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi as Board Secretary, along with other officials. At the outset of the meeting, VP Malik Munir Ahmed objected to the 200% to 250% increase in residential and commercial rates for water and conservancy charges. His objection was supported by the other 10 elected members. Following the passing of elected member Hafiz Hussain Malik, which reduced the number of elected members by one, the Board Secretary stated that he could call for a vote to approve the proposed water and sanitation charges under the Cantonment Act. In response, the elected members stated, "Take our written dissenting note; we do not accept this decision. We reject it." With this stance, the VP and the elected members boycotted the meeting and left the board hall. Consequently, the proposal for the significant increase in water charges and sanitation taxes was approved by the majority of the 12 nominated government members and the Board president, who served as the thirteenth member. Per the approved increases for monthly water charges on residential connections for cantonment residents, the water charges for one to five marla homes have been increased from Rs500 to: Category A: Rs1,250, Category B: Rs1,000, Category C: Rs900, Category D: Rs850, Category E: Rs750. Furthermore, the fee for new residential water connections has been doubled from Rs5,000 to Rs10,000, while commercial water connection fees have increased from Rs10,000 to Rs20,000. Commercial water charges have also seen a 100% increase, meaning Rs15,000 charges will now be Rs30,000.
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
RCB approves Rs7.43b budget for FY26
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has approved a total budget of Rs7.43665 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26. This budget includes Rs1.044b allocated for development works across the densely populated areas of the 10 wards, while Rs4.8165b has been earmarked for salaries and other operational expenditures. The budget was approved during a board meeting of elected members and has been forwarded to the competent authority, the Director of Military Lands and Cantonments, Rawalpindi Region, for final approval. The gap between income and expenditures will be covered by the opening balance for the next fiscal year. The budget board meeting was chaired by RCB Brigadier Ahmed Nawaz, and attended by Cantonment Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi, Vice President Malik Munir Ahmed, and both elected and nominated members of the RCB. The board was informed that the budget estimate for fiscal year 2024-25 was Rs5.79971b, whereas for 2025-26, the estimate has increased to Rs7.43665b. This year, salary expenditures are projected at Rs3.2085b, and miscellaneous expenses are estimated at Rs1.608b, up from Rs 1.39b in the previous year. Under the "Original Works" category, Rs600 million will be spent on development schemes. Apart from an opening balance of Rs360m, the board expects the following sources of revenue: Rs3.52b from rates and taxes Rs28m from special acts Rs1.821b from property tax Rs1.055b from miscellaneous sources, Rs220m from grants and security contributions, and Rs432m from extraordinary income and debt recovery
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Eid cattle market opens in Rawalpindi
With Eidul Azha falling in the first week of June, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has awarded the contract for the largest livestock market, valued at Rs165.7 million. The market for sacrificial animals set up at Bhatta Ground has started receiving sacrificial animals from across the country to facilitate the residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, the contractor is still liable to pay 50% of the remaining dues under the contract and is also obligated to pay Rs16.5m in income tax. In light of previous instances where contractors fled without clearing dues and taxes, the Board has taken a more vigilant approach this year. Monitoring of the cattle market has been significantly tightened. The contract to set up the livestock market at Bhatta Ground was awarded to Moin & Co for Rs165.7m. Fifty percent of the contract amount has already been received, while recovery of the remaining 50% is still pending. Sources in the RCB indicate that the final approval letter for the contract has not yet been issued. Once issued, the contractor will be required to pay the remaining dues to the board and the Rs16.5m in income tax to the government within seven days. Meanwhile, livestock from across the country has started arriving at Bhatta Ground, and the pace is expected to pick up from June 1. Traders from all over Pakistan will bring cows, bulls, calves, camels, goats, and sheep to the market. However, this year, prices of sacrificial animals are expected to be higher than last year, making it more difficult for buyers to find animals within their budget. To ensure the success of the official cattle market, the Board has imposed a ban on the sale of sacrificial animals on roads, open plots, private enclosures, and walled areas throughout the cantonment. Selling animals outside the Bhatta Ground market will not be allowed, and enforcement teams have been formed to take action against violators. On the other hand, collecting the remaining 50% of the contract dues and the Rs16.5m income tax from the contractor has become a major challenge for the RCB. According to sources, monitoring teams from the board will oversee the livestock market operations and ensure timely recovery of all outstanding payments and taxes. Meanwhile, the twin cities are abuzz with activity as vendors and buyers alike prepare for the festive occasion. The markets, set up in various locations, offer goats, cows and other livestock for sacrifice. Buyers can be seen haggling over prices, inspecting the health and quality of the animals and negotiating with vendors.
