Concern over disproportionately high allocation to non-development spending compared to development spending
RAWALPINDI:
The authorities concerned have decided to reduce non-development expenditure in 44 Cantonment Boards (CBs) across the country, including Rawalpindi and Chaklala, by phasing out surplus staff, implementing newly approved staff limits, introducing a paperless administrative system and establishing a food quality control regime based on hygiene standards.
According to information obtained by this correspondent from cantonment sources, the competent authority has issued clear directives to all cantonment boards to increase their revenue streams, improve recovery mechanisms and progressively reduce the substantial portion of budgets consumed by salaries and other non-development expenditure.
To this end, excess staffing should be eliminated by reassessing and setting the authorized staffing at each board strictly on the basis of actual operational needs, followed by a gradual reduction of excess staffing.
The resulting savings will be redirected towards development projects. Under this view, reducing overstaffing is also expected to lessen the long-term burden on cantonment boards’ salaries and pensions.
Sources further indicate that the competent authority has expressed concern over the disproportionately high allocation to non-development expenditure as compared to development expenditure in many cantonments.
Measures have also been initiated to transition office operations to a paperless system, which will enable greater transparency, efficiency and governance through automation, while ensuring secure record-keeping.
Additionally, the cantonment boards have been directed to modernize and activate their food departments to ensure food supply in accordance with prescribed hygiene norms.
