Concerns about disproportionate allocation to non-development spending compared to development spending
RAWALPINDI:
The authorities concerned have decided to reduce non-development expenditure in 44 Cantonment Boards (CBs) across the country, including Rawalpindi and Chaklala, by phasing out excess staff, implementing the newly approved staff limits, introducing a paperless administrative system and establishing a food quality control regime based on hygiene standards.
According to information obtained by this correspondent from cantonment sources, the competent authority has given clear directives to all cantonment boards to increase their revenue streams, improve recovery mechanisms and gradually reduce the substantial portion of budgets consumed by salaries and other non-development expenditure.
To this end, overstaffing must be eliminated by reassessing and fixing the authorized staffing levels in each board strictly on the basis of actual operational needs, followed by a gradual reduction of excess staff.
The savings thus made must be redirected towards development projects. As part of this vision, the reduction in surplus strength is also expected to ease the long-term burden of salaries and pensions on cantonment boards.
Sources further indicate that the competent authority has expressed concern over the disproportionate allocation to non-development expenditure as compared to development expenditure in many cantonments.
Steps have also been taken to move office operations towards a paperless system, enabling greater transparency, efficiency and governance through automation, while ensuring secure record keeping.
Additionally, cantonment boards have been directed to modernize and activate their food services to ensure provision of food items in accordance with prescribed hygiene standards.
