RAWALPINDI, Feb 7: Opposition in the district council asked the district administration not to take donation from a business concern that owes it, almost Rs40.45 million, for city’s beautification.

The opposition councillors were debating a resolution, on Thursday, moved in the council by Mian Imran Hayat on city’s beautification for which a defaulter firm is donating the Chandani Chowk tower.

Mr Hayat offered to donate the same monument from the people of his constituency and asked the district Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani not to be obliged by tax evaders.

The opposition councillors said the site would serve as an advertisement for the company. It has already placed almost a dozen billboards and banners on the site saying “Gift for the people of Rawalpindi from the company.”

Mr Anjum Farooq Piracha said the site could have been auctioned to some other firm through bidding and turned into a continuous source of revenue generating site for the district government.

Other opposition councillors accused the district Nazim of unduly giving advantage to the defaulter. One, even threatened to take the matter to the court.

Mr Hayat said Chandani Chowk is of historical significance and the people of the area have first right over the place and their donation should be accepted rather than taking the same from a defaulter.

Several treasury bench members tried to stop the opposition councillors from debating the issue, however they were stopped from doing so by the convener Raja Javed Ikhlas.

They said the district government is not concerned about who is donating the money and from where the money is being donated.

Mr Ikhlas in his ruling said the district government would be apprised about the offer and feelings of the members of the council, which would then take appropriate action in this regard.

Mr Hayat through another resolution accused the convener of favouritism. The objection was over-ruled on the plea that the conduct of the chair cannot be brought into question.

The opposition councillors also accused Mr Kiani of bypassing the authority of the council. They were of the view that the district council, according to the rules, is responsible to set goals, but Nazim is working on his own without consulting the council. Mr Taj Abbasi said the district government officials do not consult the elected representatives on the development projects and are formulated by the officials themselves.

The council through a resolution demanded of the health department to either shift neurosurgery department from District Headquarters Hospital to Rawalpindi General Hospital or Holy Family Hospital or transfer the equipment installed at the latter two hospitals to DHQ for the benefit of the patients.

The house was informed that at present the neurosurgery department is in DHQ, while the related diagnostic facilities of CT Scan and MRI are in the other two.

Member district council from Gujar Khan asked the district government to uncover embezzlement committed by the defunct Zila Council and Town Committees and award exemplary punishment to those involved.

The councillors also criticized the police for dismal law and order situation.