LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) raised concerns about the plight of industrial units operating in Saggian Lahore and surrounding areas under the jurisdiction of Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA).
In an emergency meeting held at LCCI, industrialists unanimously appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take immediate notice of the situation.
LCCI Acting President Engneer Khalid Usman, former LCCI President Muhammad Ali Mian, Convener of Standing Committee Ali Sheraz, Zafar iqbal, Akram Dewan, Muhammad Ameen, Muhammad Hanan, Muhammad Yonus, Tanveer Hussain, Muhammad Adeel and Advocate M Waqar also spoke on the occasion.
Engineer Khalid Usman and Muhammad Ali Mian highlighted that major issue is imposition of DC rate that is 10 times higher than standard rates in the jurisdiction of RUDA.
They said that over 1,000 industrial units, ranging from small workshops to large factories, are facing problems due to these inflated charges. They added that these industries employ more than 10,000 workers directly and support thousands of families indirectly.
Khalid Usman said, “If RUDA continues with this taxation, we will see massive job losses and industrial collapse.”
Business community leaders said that forcing industries to pay current DC rates will lead to shutdowns. When factories close, workers lose livelihoods, and that creates social unrest and law-and-order problems.
They demanded immediate reduction in DC rates to reasonable levels, restriction on sealing or eviction of industrial units and consultation with stakeholders before finalizing new rates.
Participants of the meeting said that industrialists have pin their hopes on CM Maryam Nawaz. They said that they believe the Chief Minister, who has prioritized economic development, will understand their plight and take necessary action.
