ISLAMABAD, Jan 24: The Capital development Authority (CDA) has decided to bring all the model villages under its tax net in order to generate more funds and provide civic amenities to the dwellers of these localities , a source in the CDA told Dawn on Saturday.

The areas which are being brought under the tax net are: model villages of Humak, Rawal Town, Margalla Town and Chak Shahzad.

The source said the overall revenue of the CDA could be increased by 30 per if these areas were brought under the municipal limits of the capital.

At present, the CDA's annual revenue target is Rs550 million, which can be set at Rs700 million after imposition of taxes on the residents of these villages.

"As the CDA is not providing any civic services to the residents of these villages, it is not levying any tax on the residents. However, after charging property tax, water and sewerage charges, the authority would have to supply water and provide better sanitation facilities to these localities," the source said.

Some of the residents of Humak Town said people of these areas were ready to pay taxes to the CDA if the authority provided them with basic civic facilities.

They said the people of model villages had set an example of community participation by making their own arrangements for cleanliness and security in their areas.

"We have hired a private firm for maintenance of sewerage system, while a private agency is looking after security of these areas," they added.

They said the CDA did not supply potable water to the model villages, thus they depended on underground water which was acquired through electric pumps.

Roads in these localities are also in a dilapidated condition due to absence of maintenance and repair works for the last over a decade.

Talking to Dawn, an official of the CDA said the authority had decided to provide all basic facilities to the residents of these areas after bringing them into the tax net.

In this connection, the CDA was conducting separate studies to get fresh information about the requirements of the people and infrastructure in the villages.

"We have to know how much water connections are required and how the CDA will lay network of water supply lines in these areas so that required funds would be acquired.

"Similarly, the authority has to lay a network of power lines for installation of street lights," the official said.

In reply to a question, the official said millions of rupees were required to provide water and other basic facilities to the inhabitants of the model villages.