KP CM Mahmood Khan okays release of Tobacco Development Cess funds

PESHAWAR: A meeting of the committee for the utilization of Tobacco Development Cess (TDC) has approved allocation and release of the TDC funds for the year 2018-19.

The committee meeting was held on Friday with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair, said an official handout. Ministers Shahram Khan Tarakai, Mohibullah, Advisor Qalandar Khan Lodhi, members of the provincial assembly, relevant administrative secretaries and others attended the meeting.

The participants were told that Rs.433.679 million were received for the year 2018-19, adding the proposed shares of each tobacco growing district had been worked out as per the laid formula. The committee agreed to the proposed shares of districts and approved the release funds to constituencies concerned. However, the chief minister stressed the need for making TDC rules 2007 more effective. Mahmood Khan directed the relevant officials to release the TDC funds arrears of 2017-18 to some constituencies.