RAWALPINDI, April 17: The cantonment board on Thursday distributed cheques amounting to Rs0.64 million among the fire-affected people of Sasta Bazaar, Chungi-22.

Several stalls, owned by these people, were destroyed in a fire which broke out in Sasta Bazaar in December 2002.

The director-general, Military Lands and Cantonments (ML&Cs), on the request of the RCB’s executive officer, Khawaja Iftikhar Mir, had approved a special grant of Rs1 million for the affected people. An amount of Rs360,000 was spent on the construction of the bazaar while the remaining Rs640,000 had been fixed for distribution among 160 affected stallholders.

The cantonment station commander, Brig Hamid Khalil, and RCB executive officer Khawaja Iftikhar Mir distributed the cheques, amounting to Rs4,000 each, at a function held at the RCB office.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig Hamid Khalil said every effort had been made to rehabilitate the affected people. Instead of the temporary wooden stalls, they have been provided with cemented ones, he said.

The station commander said fire erupted due to the negligence of the stallholders and asked them to be careful in future so that such incidents could be avoided. He told them to do their business with honesty, not to overcharge, behave with their clients and take care of cleanliness.

The RCB executive officer, Khawaja Iftikhar Mir, also advised them to do their business in a disciplined manner. Most of the residents and traders have the impression that the cantonment officials charge taxes, but do not give them a free hand, Mr Mir said, adding that all this was done to maintain discipline and regulate trade so that other people were not disturbed.

He said the DG ML&Cs took personal interest in the rehabilitation of the affected stallholders.

The executive officer said about 300 stalls had been built on the site. He dispelled the impression that the Sasta Bazaar was burnt by the cantonment board.

The board has provided you a place worth millions of rupees just to enable you to earn your living, he said.