RTMA completes Rs 1bn uplift projects

Rawalpindi: Rawal Town Nazim Sheikh Rashid Shafique said on Monday that the Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) has carried out Rs 1 billion development projects in all union councils during the last two years.

Addressing a press conference at his office, he said the projects included renovation of roads and provision of streetlights in the 46 union councils.

Shafique said RTMA had Rs 65 million funds for development projects. Former railways minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed provided Rs15 million and the Punjab Government provided the remaining amount, he added.

Four school buildings: He said last year buildings of four educational institutions had been completed, which included Government Girls College Dhoke Hassu, Sheikh Fazal Elahi Girls High School Hazara Colony, Government Girls High School Ziaul Haq Colony and Government Girls High School Arya Mohallah. He said the TMA had approved 2,500 construction plans for the poor.

No discrimination: Dispelling impression of discrimination in distribution of funds, Shafique said he had provided development funds to the town council members without any discrimination and allocated Rs 5 million each for all the members.

Water filtration plants: He said RTMA constructed filtration plants in all union councils of the town to provide clean drinking water in the city. Shafique said in this regard he had consulted the respective representative of the union council without any discrimination.

While talking about no trust motion against him, Shafique said he enjoyed support of majority of the house and even 11 women councillors of total 15 were supporting him. Shafique, nephew of former railways minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said Ahmed had helped RTMA in getting funds from federal and the Punjab Government.

RTMA, Lal Haveli working for development: He said after transfer of major revenue resources to the city district government and an increase in salaries and pensions of employees, it was very difficult for RTMA to present surplus budget of current year. He said Lal Haveli and RTMA were working hard for development of the city and they would continue their efforts.

Action against encroachers: He reiterated his resolve to eradicate encroachments from the city. Shafique said they had shown some leniency to encroachers due to elections and within a few days a massive operation would be launched against them.

He said the town government was firm to make a transparent and even-handed system in the town to give people all possible relief and resolve their problems on their doorstep.