RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) on Thursday suspended two officials from its building and revenue branches and launched an inquiry against them over their alleged involvement in facilitating illegal construction.

A senior official from the RCB told Dawn that the board received complaints about illegal constructions in Gawalmandi area of Saddar and alleged that the building checker was involved.

He said the inquiry officer will investigate why the building checker did not report to the civic body about illegal construction and whether it had anything to do with corruption and negligence. Even though, it is clear that all building checkers will not be negligent, there is a 99pc chance of corruption by building branch officials, he said, adding in another complaint, a revenue official was involved in taking bribe from a resident who applied for regularisation of his building under the Amnesty Scheme.

When contacted, RCB spokesman Qaisar Mehmood confirmed that both officials had been suspended. The building checker was suspended over complaints of negligence and for allowing unauthorised construction in cantonment areas, he said, adding departmental action has been taken against them and the inquiry officer will be appointed to record statements of both officials and for verification of facts.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2020