A compression station for supply of natural gas to commercial consumers would be constructed at a cost of Rs 200 million at Murree this year, said Murree Tehsil Nazim Mohammad Khursheed Abbasi on Sunday.
Under the project, natural gas would be transported to compression station through boozers for onward supply to commercial consumers, he said, adding the tenders have already been invited for the project.
He said under a long-term programme, natural gas would be provided to people through gas pipelines, adding the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has demanded Rs 500 million for the project.
"We have appealed to the government for grant of this amount so that the rural areas of Murree could be provided this cheaper fuel", he said, adding this step would not only stop deforestation, but also improve tourism in this area.
To a question, the Tehsil Nazim said the annual budget of Murree Tehsil Municipal Administration has risen from Rs 40 million two and half years ago to Rs 140 million this year.
When he took the charge, the electricity bills of Rs 15 million were outstanding against the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) while there were no funds for payment of salaries to employees.
"We improved financial position by detecting ghost employees and stopping payments on the fictitious bills within one year," he added.
An amount of Rs 15 million was also granted by the Governor Punjab at that time, he said, adding out of the total budget, 40 percent has been spent on development schemes.
About development of rural areas of the Tehsil, he said electrification of 15 villages has been completed in three union councils, including Gail, Bun and Angoori. Talking about other schemes, he said Rs 20 million is being spent with the help of district government on the improvement in educational institutions.
About health facilities, he said the situation is being improved at basic health units and rural health care, adding the doctors and other paramedical staff are being appointed, while medicines are available in sufficient quantity.
The Tehsil Nazim pointed out that out of total income, TMA Murree gets only 33 percent share from the 17-mile Toll Plaza.
"This amount is taken from the tourists visiting Murree which should be given to us for providing more facilities to the tourists in and around Murree", he added.
He also said the TMA is also not getting any tax from income of Patriata chairlift. He also demanded share from General Sales Tax and Property Tax to make the TMA self-sufficient.
To a question, he said the new carriage way from Islamabad to Murree will be completed by December 2005.
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