RAWALPINDI, June 27: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board presented its Rs509 million budget for the fiscal 2003-2004 before the mini board on Friday, sources said.

The sources said the budget details had been kept secret, but would be released after its formal approval by the board.

The RCB executive officer, Khawja Iftikhar Mir, presented the budget in a meeting presided over by the station commander, Brig Hamid Khalil.

The sources said total expenditures during the fiscal 2003- 2004 were estimated Rs482.995 million, which include Rs133.415 million for RCB Establishment, Rs166.775 for contingencies and Rs23 million for repair and maintenance and other miscellaneous works.

According to sources, no new taxes have been levied. Major emphasis has been laid on the recovery of conservancy charges, property tax, hoarding, commercial and residential rents. To avoid the deficit, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board has planned to curtail non- development expenditures, the sources said.

“Regularization of old grant and code leases is expected

to bring Rs40 million and the civic body has also planned to regularize illegal water connections and provide new connections.”

To increase the revenue, cattle fairs would be arranged, which are expected to accrue Rs5 million, he added.

Sufficient amount has been allocated for the uplift of Cantonment General Hospital and a vehicle for fire brigade department would also be purchased.