Chitral Times Report
PESHAWAR: A meeting of the committee for the utilization of Tobacco Development Cess (TDC) has approved allocation and release of TDC funds for the year 2018-19. The committee meeting was held on Friday with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair. Provincial Ministers Shahram Khan Tarakai, Mohibullah, Advisor to Chief Minister Qalandar Khan Lodhi, concerned members of provincial assembly, concerned administrative secretaries and others attended the meeting.
The meeting was told that Rs.433.679 million were received for the year 2018-19 adding that proposed shares of each tobacco growing districts had been worked out as per laid formula. The committee while agreeing to the proposed shares of districts accorded the approval of releasing funds to concerned constituencies. On the occasion, the meeting also discussed the matters related to utilization of cess funds in different sectors. The chief minister said that TDC funds be utilized for necessary development activities as per the given rules. However, the chief minister stressed upon the need of making Tobacco Development Cess rules 2007 more effective and directed the authorities concerned for revising relevant rules and proposals from committee members be incorporated in revised rules. He said that main aim behind such exercise is to ensure result oriented utilization of funds. The chief minister also directed the concerned authorities for immediate releasing TDC funds arrears of 2017-18 to some constituencies.
