FAISALABAD, April 30: The government has barred the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) from charging renewals fee according to a new schedule approved by the general body, sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

They said the renewal fee of trade and industry class had been raised in the annual general meeting (AGM) held a few months ago after the elections.

Former FCCI president Mian Idrees suggested in the meeting that the membership fee should be increased for the development of the chamber and the district as well.

The AGM approved the proposal and decided to enforce the new fee structure despite strong opposition by the members.

Accordingly, the associate class renewal fee was increased from Rs900 to Rs3,400 and fee of corporate class was raised from Rs1,200 to Rs7,200.

A FCCI member Asghar Kamal approached the director of Trade Organisation (DTO), in Islamabad for cancellation of high fee structure.

Acting on the complaint the government barred the chamber’s office-bearers to charge fee for renewal according to the new schedule.

It has directed that the FCCI shall entertain all applications for renewals on payment of normal renewal fee as stipulated in the memorandum and articles of association.