PESHAWAR
Provincial Finance Advisor, Muzamil Aslam chairing a meeting of Tobacco Development Cess (TDC) said that government is considering proposals to increase cess rate with a purpose to develop infrastructure of areas where tobacco is cultivated.
He was chairing a meeting of TDC that was also attended by irrigation minister, Aqibullah, Director General Excise, Akmal Khattak and tobacco growers.
The meeting decided to consider proposals of increasing tobacco cess of Rs 50/Kg on Virginia, Rs 30/Kg on Stika and Rs 20 Kg on tobacco used in preparing Snuff (Naswar) areaiming infrastructure development of growing areas. It was told that TDC is very nominal as compared to tobacco price.
Finance Advisor told tobacco growers that government is also preparing a strategy to increase revenue by exporting the cash crop. Growers were informed that ten percent or lower cess would be provided in case of any crop loss and funds would be diverted to development projects in case occurrence of crop loss incident was not occurred in first three months.
The amount would be utilized to repair roads, provide potable water and recreational facilities to people of respective areas. Meeting was also informed proposed sector for fund utilization.
