DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam has directed all seven Water and Sanitation Services Companies (WSSCs) operating across the province to ensure payment of the government-prescribed minimum wage to their contingent employees.
He issued the directives while chairing a meeting of the WSSCs at the Finance Department’s Committee Room, where the administrative and financial affairs of the companies, expenditure control, employees’ wages, audit reports, billing systems, and drainage and sewerage issues were reviewed, said a handout.
Mr Aslam said paying workers less than the minimum wage fixed by the provincial government was unfair. He assured the companies that the additional funds required due to the increase in the minimum wage would be provided by the Finance Department.
However, he stressed that the companies would have to exercise strict control over expenditures and maintain financial discipline.
The meeting directed all WSSCs to immediately submit their external audit reports to the Finance Department to facilitate a comprehensive review of their financial affairs and improve transparency.
The advisor also directed the WSSCs in Kohat and Swat to take immediate steps to reduce unnecessary expenditures. He appreciated the measures being taken by the WSSP Peshawar to control its spending.
The meeting decided to introduce separate billing services for commercial activities and shift the billing systems of all WSSCs online. Mr Aslam said online billing would improve transparency and efficiency while reducing expenditure on manpower and stationery.
He also directed the authorities to take effective action against encroachments obstructing drainage systems. He called for coordinated efforts with district administrations and Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMOs) to ensure that drainage systems in urban areas remained operational and effective.
The advisor reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to introducing reforms to make the water and sanitation system more efficient, transparent and financially sustainable.
