KARACHI, Dec 29: The Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) has been made a financially viable organization and its revenues increased from Rs5 million a few months ago to Rs100 million and efforts are being made to increase the amount to Rs120 million a month, Chief Controller of Buildings Brig A.S. Nasir (retired) said.

Talking to APP, he said that the performance of the Authority could be judged from the fact that it gave Rs180 million to the city government for making payment of salaries to its employees.

Brig Nasir pointed out that when he took over as the chief controller, the governor had specially given him the task to expedite the long pending cases of regularization of buildings constructed illegally or in violation of approved plans.

He said on assumption of office he noted that the KBCA’s monthly income was about Rs5 to Rs7 million, whereas the expenditures were almost equal to the receipts. The additional expenses were being met from previous savings.

He said that he took full advantage of the amnesty ordinance issued by the governor. However, it was for a short period and on his request its operation was extended for two months. He said that during the first amnesty period 1,843 cases were brought before the KBCA and another 1,500 during the extended period.

Brig Nasir said apart from normal cases, the Authority had a backlog of some 3,000 cases.

He pointed out that to motivate the officials, he had moved a summary, seeking replacement of the existing old vehicles, numbering about 20 cars, which have been consuming a hefty amount on repairs.

He said a summary had also been moved to the City Nazim for payment of bonus to the KBCA employees on the basis of their performance. He said if the proposal was approved, the employees below grade 15 would get up to Rs1,500 and those in higher grade would be restricted to a payment of Rs1,500.

Brig Nasir said that the KBCA’s demolition department was short of vehicles and equipment like loaders, dumpers etc., and he planned to further enhance their performance for which he had demanded two more vehicles - one for the demolition commander and the other to transport the demolition staff.