RAWALPINDI, Jan 11: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) will now charge Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) industrial power tariff instead of agricultural, it has been learnt.

The dispute between power supply company and the civic body over the dues payment issue has been continuing for the last several years. Iesco accuses the RCB of failing to pay its power charges, while the cantonment board claims that the company owes it millions of rupees under the heads of property tax, line rent, ground rent and other taxes.

Dozens of meetings have been held between the officials of the two bodies, but these remained fruitless. The dispute will take a new turn as with the application of industrial tariff, the civic body will be burdened with Rs0.928 million per month, it has been learnt.

The RCB authorities have also suggested that the defence ministry and the department of Military Lands and Cantonments be involved in the issue to formulate a uniform policy.

The RCB has warned that it will be at liberty to charge property tax, line rent, ground rent and other taxes from the power company under the prevailing tax structure if the civic body was charged tariff on industrial rate. Besides, it can also take over its building at Marir Hassan from Iesco.

The building which serves as the local headquarter of the power company had been on lease which expired about 10 years ago and has so far not been renewed. The other option with the RCB will be to revise its 'lease' charges.

The RCB officials contended that Wapda was charging agriculture tariff from municipal corporations and other local/civic bodies for electricity provided to drinking water supply schemes since 1994.