ISLAMABAD, July 20: The ministry of housing and works has demanded of the finance ministry to allow 15 per cent increase in hiring of private houses for all government employees, a source in the housing ministry told Dawn.

The source said that on the request of the housing minister, the ministry of finance had allowed 15 per cent increase only for the fresh hiring cases with effect from July 1.

However, the housing ministry had expressed dissatisfaction over the decision and further sent a proposal to the finance ministry, demanding the facility for all government employees availing hiring of private houses before July 1 also.

The finance ministry, he added, was considering the proposal and it would announce its decision within a week.

“If the ministry of finance provides the facility to all government employees, it will be a great relief to them as no increase was made in the hiring of houses for several years,” he said.

Meanwhile, an official of the housing ministry told Dawn that the ministry had reduced the rents of commercial units of estate office which were increased some months ago.

He said under a decision taken a few months ago the rents of commercial units had been increased up to 300 per cent. “However, we are reducing them again,” he added. The estate office has hundreds of commercial units which have been on rent.

In reply to a question about violation of general waiting list, under which the estate office provides accommodation to government servants, the official said sometimes it had become necessary to make adjustment in the list which should not be called violations.