ISLAMABAD: Instructions have been issued to the Pakistan Broadcasting Company (PBC) to launch the pending dues of workers earlier than Ramazan 20.
A Senate committee on Friday additionally urged that automobile homeowners must be charged as much as Rs5,000 for subscription to Radio Pakistan as a result of the nationwide broadcaster wanted to be steered out of a monetary crises.
A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Data held an in depth briefing on the monetary situation of the PBC and expressed critical concern over non-payment of pensions and salaries to its serving in addition to retired workers.
Convener of the subcommittee Senator Irfan Siddiqui requested the administration of the PBC to present a deadline for releasing the pending pensions and salaries of the Radio Pakistan workers.
Senate panel suggests charging automobile homeowners for subscription to Radio Pakistan
Radio Pakistan Director GeneralTahir Hassan assured the subcommittee that two months’ pending pension in addition to two months’ pending salaries of the workers will likely be cleared earlier than Eid.
The committee was knowledgeable in regards to the monetary woes of Radio Pakistan and that it was presently dealing with a income shortfall of round Rs2.2 billion. Officers additionally requested the senators to assist them in acquiring a one-time bailout grant of Rs1 billion to fulfill its expenditures for Might and June.
Senator Siddiqui requested the officers of Radio Pakistan to organize a monetary restoration plan and current it to the Senate standing committee after getting approval of the Radio Pakistan Board.
“The issue is that you simply folks have been appearing by yourself bypassing the foundations – ultimately issues is not going to materialise and monetary situations is not going to enhance,” Senator Siddiqui mentioned.
Some choices for monetary restoration of Radio Pakistan included charging as much as Rs5,000 from automobile homeowners as radio subscription on the time of registration and fee of the token price.
“We have to have enterprise improvement plans on trendy strains together with harnessing potentials of properties owned by radio however all steps should be taken in accordance with the legislation and in a clear method,” the convener of the subcommittee added.
The problem of rental earnings by Radio Pakistan was raised by Senator Waqar Mehdi, and the subcommittee was knowledgeable that round Rs748 million have been but o be recovered by way of hire.
The subcommittee was knowledgeable that many of the tenants have been authorities departments at Radio Pakistan buildings and land whereas many weren’t paying rents whereas Sindh Rangers had occupied a portion of Radio Pakistan constructing on M.A. Jinnah Street, Karachi with none approval.
Senator Mehdi mentioned Radio Pakistan had given its property to personal establishments at very low charges and important efforts weren’t being made to get better the pending quantity.
“One property in Karachi has been rented at Rs54 per sq. foot to a quick meals restaurant. That is unfair and Radio Pakistan has not performed something critical to get Rangers out of the constructing.
“Did you write to Sindh authorities or the inside ministry towards actions of Rangers. Moreover, why is Radio Pakistan paying the utility payments of that constructing?” he added.
Senator Siddiqui assured the officers of Radio Pakistan of assist from the Senate physique however provided that they acted to enhance their recoveries.
He additionally directed the officers to refurbish Z.A. Bukhari auditorium in PBC headquarters Islamabad whereas Senator Mehdi promised to get donations for carpets, furnishings and so forth.
Revealed in Daybreak, March twenty fifth, 2023
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