CDA evolves comprehensive strategy to enhance revenue

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Syed Tahir Shahbaz Friday said that the authority has worked out a comprehensive strategy for enhancement of revenue from municipal services to upgrade the civic facilities.



Addressing a press conference along with member administration, Munir Ahmad Chaudhry here in CDA headquarter, the Chairman said that the authority would generate millions of rupees on account of revenue by implementing the new policy.



The Chairman said that CDA has started beautification and up-gradation work in the federal capital in its available resources.



He said that we are trying to assign the artwork at underpasses through joint venture to minimize expenses.



Talking about the election campaign, the Chairman said that CDA is in

consistent contact with the Returning Officers and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).



He said that the authority has removed 10500 illegal banners and 18

billboards form the city.



He said that Islamabad is the only city of the country not allowing a

single mega board of any political party.



Responding to a question about the kiosk (Khokha) policy, the Chairman said that CDA is working on Khokha policy in the light of the orders of Judicial Commission.



Member Administration, Munir Ahmad Chaudhry informed the press briefing that CDA is conducting a survey about the billboards around the federal capital.



He said that these billboards would be allotted for advertisements through open auction in a transparent manner instead of assigning the job of allotting the billboards to an officer of the authority individually.



As per prevailing practice, Directorate of Municipal Administration CDA deals with the advertisements through billboards for a short term of three to 15 days while Chairman CDA is the authority to grant permission of one year.



The Member administration said that CDA has to recover Rs120 million on account of advertisement charges, adding that notices to defaulters have been issued for recovery.



He said that presently the civic body is generating Rs60 million from advertisements and after implementation of new reforms the authority would be able to get Rs300 million annually.



He said that the assignment of sanitation in fruit and vegetable market in Sector I-11 would be awarded to CDA's Sanitation workers instead of contractor, enabling the authority to save Rs30 million which would also help to improve the sanitation quality of the market.



He said that shopkeepers would hang their business boards on their respective shops as per standard size, which would not only enhance the income for CDA but would also restore the beauty of market.



CDA has started the practice from Kohsar market, he added