FAISALABAD, Dec 29: The Tehsil Municipal Administration (city) approved a number of developmental projects amid rumpus in its session held here on Monday.

About two dozen proposals and recommendations were presented before the House, all of which except one, were approved with thumping majority.

Councillors raised objections on different issues and blamed the TMA management for ruining the by-laws. But due to majority vote being in favour of proposals, the protest by the opposing councillors proved futile.

The house approved 40 per cent increase in Wasa tariff with some amendments to the rate imposed on five marlas or less property.

Wasa authorities informed the house that enhancement in tariff had been approved by the FDA and the provincial government. Due to shortage of time, it could not be presented before the house.

A report was presented in the house which says underground tanks of filling station of the TMA had become rusty as a result of which over 200 litres of petrol goes waste every month.

Some members alleged that the TMA officials concerned, in league with the staff deputed at the filling stations, stole petrol and sold it in the open market. The officials had staged a drama of leakage of oil from the tanks just to save their skin, they added.

It was also decided that parking plazas would be built in the city on BOT basis. The TMA would allot its lands to private parties on lease which would also be financially beneficial for the TMA.

The house was informed that a ‘wheel tax’ contract was awarded to a contractor who had disappeared with two months’ recovered amount. No legal action has so far been taken against him. Now it has been decided that the TMA would collect wheel tax directly.

Similarly, the taxi, rickshaw fee contractor has also fled without paying to the TMA. The TMA presented surety bonds submitted as security to the bank for encashment. One of them was encashed while the second one was found ‘bogus’. A complaint has been lodged with the police. It has been decided that the TMA would collect the fee.

On another agenda item, the convener promised to approach the provincial authorities to waive the mark-up outstanding against thousands of allottees of Allama Iqbal Colony in shape of developmental charges.

The TMA noted with concern that minors and people above 70 years of age were driving donkey-carts in the city which resulted in accidents. The traffic police would be asked to take action against them. A comprehensive plan would also be formulated to reduce the number of animal driven carts from the city.

The TMA also approved various contracts.