SWABI: The Swabi Development Authority has imposed an annual tax on the Shahmansoor Township allottees, who have yet to put up buildings on their plots.

According to relevant officials, the `none user charges`, which has become effective from the start of the current fiscal, have been introduced to force allottees to build houses on their land in the district`s only housing scheme.

The scheme was launched two decades ago but only a few people bought its plots until 2004.

However, locals and outsiders began taking interest in the purchase of plots and thus, increasing their prices.

Currently, a five marlas plot at the township sells at Rs1.3-Rs1.8 million.

The officials said the yearly non-user charges were Rs3,500 for five marlas plot, Rs6,000 for 10-marla plot and Rs8,000 for one kanal plot.

He said those not paying the charges would face penalty.

The allottees complained the SDA had yet to formally inform them about new charges in violation of the prevalent `housing society norms` They said the SDA should provide the society with facilities like roads, water, gas, security and boundary wall before imposing the `none user charges`.

`I have not received any of ficial letter about the imposition of new charges on my one kanal plot. In contrast, the Capital Development Authority recently sent me a letter before the imposition of a new tax on my plot in Islamabad,` said Abbas Ali Khan, an allottee.

The officials said allottees had forced the SDA into introducing the charges by not putting up houses on plots.

They said they firmly believed the move would help increase home construction at the township.

The officials said the society had 2,100 plots of different sizes, which all had been allotted.

ANTI-POLIO DRIVE BEGINS: An anti-polio campaign began in Swabi district on Thursday.

A total of 250,000 children under the age of five years will be targeted during the three-day campaign.

Chief of the Expanded Programme for Immunisation in the district Dr Yaqub told Dawn that the campaign would be monitored by supervisors.

He said vaccinators and other health workers shirking duty during the campaign would face departmental action.

Another relevant official warned duty shirkers could lose job if vaccination refusal cases were reported in their respective areas.