NO. SOTAX (LG) 1-15/01(Pasrur)
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
LOCAL GOVT. & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
Dated Lahore, the 19th February, 2018
To
Al the Mayors, Metropolitan arid Municipal Corporations, in Punjab
All the Chairmen District Councils, in Punjab
Al the Chairmen Municipal Committees, in Punjab
All Chief Officers, Metropolitan, Municipal Corporation, District Councils and Municipal Committees, in Punjab
Subject: PROVISION OF DRINKABLE WATER, WASTE WATER TREATMENT, SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SERVICES #
I am directed to refer the subject above and state that the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan in Suo Moto case No. 4/ 2017 and Human Rights case No. 4412 and others, has taken up the issue of provision of portable water and waste water treatment as well as the vital issue of saving and preserving fresh water sources. All the concerned departmental heads were called in person who appeared in person in the subject cases.
- Accordingly all the Local Governments are directed to accord priority to these essential functions and services. The following instructions are hereby issued for immediate compliance and making provisions in the annual budget for them.
All the tube wells and water supply schemes should be made functional and all repairs the ensured before 30th April, 2018. If there is any replacement of machinery and tube wells, it should be made part of next budget.
Ensure 100% tests of the source of tube wells/schemes form where the water is taken. These tests should include contamination. TDS and arsenic. The tests samples should be sent to PCSIR or PCRWR or Punjab University labs. Similarly the samples should also be taken from end user / water tanks of households as well as end user from the distribution system. Please ensure that private housing societies also undertake these tests in the same manner.
No sewerage water should be disposed of in Canals by the Local Governments, housing societies, factories, institutions or individuals. The responsibility for stopping disposal of sewerage water in canals rests with local Governments. - The Local Governments are not fixing rational charges for these services matching with their expenditures on installation, salaries, electricity bills, maintenance repair and replacement. Further the recovery from these services is also compromised. As a result of compromised tariffs and recoveries, the provision of services is failing. Local Governments rather than rationalizing their expenditures and tariffs, demand grants over and above PFC, which is not possible.
- To meet the expenditure, being incurred on these services and run the services efficiently. You are requested to examine and map the income and expenditure on each service Separately on the following:
Expenditure and income from provision of drinkable water.
Expenditure and income from treatment of waste water.
Expenditure and income from solid waste collection and disposal. - Please make budget proposals realistically in the budget for FY 2018-19 and subsequent budgets determining expenditure and income of the services provided separately. The budget proposals should not exceed the legitimate expenditure incurred against provision of each above referred service.
- The expenditures on these services are to be met form the tariffs which is a charge against the services provided. The vetting of tax proposals by the Government under section 115 of PLGA, 2013 is just to ensure reasonability and legality of proposal. Any fee or tariff which does not exceed the actual expenditure on a service is reasonable and if prescribed procedure is adopted then it will be presumed legal.
- Please rationalize your tariffs/service charges accordingly and ensure sustainable quality services for provision of drinking water, waste water treatment and solid waste collection and disposal. The issue be accorded top priority.
MAHMOOD AHMAD
SECTION OFFICER (TAX)
CC:
The Secretary, Government of the Punjab Housing Urban Development and PHE Department.
The Director General, Local Government and CD Department, Punjab
The Secretary, Punjab Local Government Board, Lahore
All he Divisional Commissioners, in Punjab
All the Deputy Commissioners, in Punjab
PSo Minister for Local Government & CO Department, Punjab
PS to the Chief Secretary, Punjab
