RAWALPINDI: In a significant development, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has expanded its jurisdiction by including four tehsils of the district: Gujjar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Taxila, and Rawalpindi.
These tehsils have been removed from the control of the district council and brought under the administration of RDA.
The decision to extend RDA’s control over these areas was made during a meeting of the RDA governing body, chaired by Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chattha.
With the inclusion of these tehsils, RDA will now have the responsibility of overseeing the planning and development of new private housing schemes in these areas, ensuring compliance with RDA rules.
Furthermore, existing illegal schemes in private housing schemes will be regularized by the established regulations.
To implement this decision, the governing body approved the immediate takeover of private housing schemes and building control in the Rawalpindi District Council area, pending the finalization of records and the revenue-sharing formula.
Commissioner Chattha emphasized the need to strengthen building control for effective operations and suggested recruiting officers and inspectors through the Punjab Public Service Commission to address the staffing shortage.
Additionally, he urged both RDA and district council departments to promptly develop a formula for sharing the responsibilities of private housing schemes and building control.
In a bid to enhance RDA’s administration, the governing body approved the creation of an additional director general position at the grade 20 level.
Moreover, the body granted an Eid allowance to contract employees of RDA on an annual basis.
Besides, several other decisions were taken during the meeting, including the inclusion of electricity adjustment charges in domestic and commercial bills and the recruitment/posting of staff for the Directorate of Planning and Development and Water & Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Rawalpindi.
The participants were urged to demonstrate their commitment and contribute to making RDA a robust organization in terms of both financial stability and administrative efficiency.
Source: Tribune
