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RAWALPINDI, July 1: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) on Monday disconnected power supply to the municipal schools due to non-payment of dues.
The power supply company claims that the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) owes Rs20 million to it as electricity charges. However, the municipal administration denies the charge and, instead, claims that the company owes it Rs10 million on account of over-billing.
The power supply to the municipal administration’s main office, and other allied offices and installations is likely to be disconnected within a few days in case of non-payment of dues, Dawn has learnt from well-placed sources.
The power supply company has prepared a list of all the TMA installations in this regard, the sources said. The students and teachers of the municipal schools are facing grave problems after suspension of power supply. “We will have no option but to close the schools if electricity is not restored,” a headmaster said.
Although, regular classes are not being held due to summer vacations, special classes have been arranged for the students of 9th and 10th class to familiarize them with the changed course, the headmaster said.
When contacted, the Iesco chief was not available for comments.
Tehsil Nazim Hamid Nawaz Raja, when asked about the situation, said negotiations were underway with Iesco and the matter would be settled. He said the TMA would pay Rs20 million to the company, if the result of the talks turned out to be in favour of the latter.
TMA CONTRACTS: The period of all contracts awarded by the TMA has expired and the contractors concerned are no longer authorized to receive any fees from the citizens, a spokesman for the administration told Dawn.
The TMA staff will start collection of all kinds of fees and taxes, including building fees, from July 1, he said. The residents have been asked to make payments to the Tehsil administration staff instead of the contractors.
DRIVE AGAINST TONGAS: The TMA on Monday launched its operation against Tonga-owners and impounded about a dozen Tongas for being plied illegally within the city limits, the officials said.
A five-member team of the TMA’s Tonga branch has been formed to check entry of tongas in the municipal administration’s jurisdiction.
An official said about 500 Tongas were registered with the administration, while an equal number was being operated illegally, the entry of which had been banned in the city limits from July 1, he added. To provide the owners with alternative means of earning, the TMA would give them motor-rickshaws on initial payment of Rs25,000. The price of a rickshaw is Rs63,000, and the remaining amount will be recovered in instalments.
