RAWALPINDI, Jan 26: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) is facing a number of petitions filed in courts by the residents and firms against different decisions and steps taken by the civic body, it is reliably learnt.

Most of these lawsuits are related to taxes, encroachments, rents and non-payment of dues etc. Similarly, various orders of the RCB authorities have been stayed by these courts. At present, the board is facing as many as 292 cases filed by the residents. The number is constantly on the rise. About 50 of these lawsuits are in the Lahore High Court, whereas the remaining are being dealt by the lower civil courts.

While the cantonment officials blame the residents, different associations and firms for dragging the civic body in unnecessary litigation, the latter claim that the RCB has been taking illegal steps, making unpopular decisions and putting extra burden on the poor tax-payers.

Some of the cases are decided within 10 to 15 days; others take years to get final judgment.

The cantonment board, which is facing financial constraints, has recently hired three legal advisors to fight these lawsuits on behalf of the civic body. The board authorities, who always complain of paucity of funds and have liabilities amounting to millions of rupees, have to spend Rs180,000 annually on the salaries of these consultant. Each legal advisor is paid Rs5,000 per month.

The RCB additional executive officer, Hassan Akhtar Mirza, when asked about the cases, admitted that the civic body was facing 292 lawsuits. Hardly any day passes when no new petition is filed, he added.

He said section 282 of the Cantonment Act 1924 gave legal immunity to the cantonment board. The section says no petition can be filed against any action taken in accordance with the Cantonment Act 1924 and the person or party intending to move court has to inform the cantonment authorities 50 days prior to going into litigation, he quoted.