F.P. Report
Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in principle approved the utilization of Tobacco Development Cess Funds for the Tobacco producing Districts of the Province. However he made clear that these funds must be released by the concerned Deputy Commissioners after scrutinizing the facts and figures to insure realistic evaluation.
He was chairing a meeting at CM Secretariat Peshawar that was attended by Provincial Ministers Taimur Salim Jhagra, Shehram Khan Tarakai, Sultan Mohammad Khan, Special Assistant for industries Abdul Karim Khan, MPAs of the concerned District, Administration Secretaries of the concerned departments and other higher authorities.
The Chief Minister was briefed in respect of the utilization of Tobacco Development Cess for the years 2016-17 and 2017-18. The meeting gave approval to the methodology for revenue collection of the Cess, its utilization, setting up of the concerned committee and TDC revenue generation also took stock of the factual revenue collection for the years 2016-17 and 2017-18 that amounted to Rs. 263.415 million and 397.66 million respectively.
The meeting was informed that the overall ADP evaluation for the year 2017-18 was Rs 100 million while for the year 2018-19 was Rs. 261.928 million. It was further told that TDC fund was allocated for the tobacco producing districts on the basis of the total tobacco produces of the concerned area wherein Pakistan tobacco board provided the data for the purpose.
It was further revealed that distribution of funds within the districts was undertaken on the basis of under cultivation land of tobacco crops for which data was being provided by the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district. The meeting was also informed of the proposed shares in tobacco development cess funds for the district of Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Bunir, Nowshera, Malakand and Mansehra of the years 2016-17 and 2017-18.
The Chief Minister in principle approved the proposed evaluation of Development Cess funds for various constituencies. However, he on the proposal of concerned MPA, directed for release of the funds after revision of the facts and figures. He also directed for reviewing the data for the year 2018-19 in backdrop of the new delimitations of the concerned constituencies.
Mahmood Khan said that provincial government was streamlining all the sectors so that various matters and things were made clearer and transparent and institutions worked in the right direction under its ambits of better service delivery. He said that this would also greatly contribute in safeguarding the rights of the people and ensure transparent and judicious resources. He assured that positive progress and changes could be seen in the coming budget in this regard. The meeting was proposed that shares of the concerned districts might be provided on tobacco prices and rates instead of its produce as there was difference of rates and quality of tobacco crops in different districts. The Chief Minister however directed for better decision in this respect after proper consideration of the matter so that the people of tobacco producing areas could be directly benefited.
Furthermore Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has said that he was aware of the problems and grievances of the people of the backward districts as he belonged to a backward area. He said that he was trying his level best to bring all backward districts at par with developed parts of the province. He said that he has focused his attention on of all districts of the province to ensure a uniform development.
He was talking to a delegation of Buner that called on him at CM House Peshawar led by Riaz Khan MPA. The 200 members delegation comprised elected local government representatives, Nazmeen, ISF, IDF and PTI youth officer bearers and workers. On this occasion former Tehsil Council from Buner Dr. Abdullah announced joining PTI alongwith his dozens of supporters and family members.
The Chief Minister thanked Dr. Abdullah and his collogues for joining PTI and wore them party caps on this occasion. While responding to the welcome address, the Chief Minister in principle agreed with the demands of the delegation including supply of Gas to Buner establishment of Marble City and construction of Express Highway. He said that feasibility and survey work for these schemes was being started to be followed practical works after availability of the resources.
The Chief Minister said that he was belonged to a backward district and was thankful to the PTI leadership who chose him as Chief Minister from that remote and backward area of the province. He said that he believed in uniform development of the districts of the province and he did not give heed to a single area rather wanted equal progress and prosperity of the backward areas of the province. He said that we have limited resources as comprised to the unlimited problems and assured that the central government would fully support us in resolving our long standing problems and demands. He assured that each and every district of the province would be given its due rights after the availability of resources. The Chief Minister mentioned the recent tension at the eastern border. He made clear that Pakistani Nation was not afraid of war instead the entire nation was ready for at decisive war against the enemy but we want peace and our desire for peace should not be misunderstood.
