RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Monday introduced a uniform for its officials who will be deputed in markets and other commercial areas for removing all encroachments.

Talking to Dawn, RMC Chief Municipal Officer Khalid Goraya said the uniforms were introduced so the officials will be recognised and so they can remove encroachments more easily.

He said two officials were deputed at the civic authority`s check posts in markets who will work in two shifts and will not allow stall holders or shopkeepers to display goods on footpaths and roadsides.

Rawalpindi Mayor Sardar Naseem wants to clear the city`s bazaars from encroachments and it was his idea to install permanent check posts, Mr Goraya added.

`The mayor increased the staff in the anti-encroachment cell for these check posts from 16 to 50,` he said.

Employees in the antiencroachment cell were shuffled and those working in the cell were transferred to other sections, Mr Goraya said.

He added that the city was divided into four sectors and officials will be rotated between sectors every three months.

The chief municipal officer said there was a need for ending officer`s monopoly because they do not perform their duties properly which is why this step was taken.

The work of the anti-encroachment staff will be monitored to end complaints of bribery.

Mr Goraya said the RMC had also asked the local police and traffic police to depute their staff at these check posts to help the RMC clear roads of encroachment, which will also ease the traffic congestion in the city.

Traders associations were consulted before the establishment of the check posts and they were told the RMC will not allow shopkeepers and stall holders to encroach onfootpaths and roadsides, he said.

Mr Goraya added that the RMC was also working on improving the working of the building department so that no buildings are constructed in the city in violation of building bylaws and the allocation of space for parking.

`Parking space should be allocated in commercial plazas and markets which will help stop people from parking on main roads and narrow streets in the city`s bazaars,` he said.