Islamabad: The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has decided to impose a water tax on mineral water and beverage companies, a news source reported. MCI expects receipts of ‘millions of rupees each day’, as a result.
Reportedly, the authority will charge PKR 2 for every litre of water extracted. Out of this figure, PKR 1 will go to the MCI, while the other half will go to the Supreme Court’s dam fund.
According to MCI Director Water Supply Nasir Jamil Butt, MCI will spend the funds collected for public welfare. They will be used for making clean drinking water arrangements, and water recharging.
MCI will also impose one-time charges for the installation of tube wells in Islamabad. Groundwater levels in the federal capital have been receding for years. One reason for this fall, according to experts, can be attributed to the unplanned construction activities regularly conducted in the city. These include the development of more than 100 illegal housing schemes.
Reportedly, the authority also plans to impose property taxation in the rural areas of Islamabad.
At present, property taxes are only collected from Islamabad’s sectors. The jurisdiction of MCI, however, also extends to the rural areas, where property tax can be imposed legally.
MCI members expressed their advocacy for bringing all of the city’s housing societies and model villages under the tax net. The house has formed a committee for this purpose. It will submit its recommendations during the next sitting.
