950812

Punjab to contest

removal of excise

duty on tobacco,

sugar from

divisible pool

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Punjab Government will contest the federal government's decision of excluding excise duty on tobacco and sugar from the terms of reference for the forthcoming National Finance Commission meetings.

According to sources, the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Manzoor Wattoo has ordered an inquiry to determine the consequences of the exclusion of the excise duty from the divisible pool of the NFC. The revenue generated under this head constitutes 17 percent of the pool.

The Chief Minister has also instructed the provincial finance ministry to examine other factors which can help the province increase its share in the next NFC Award. He has also ordered to examine the possibility of getting included agricultural land in the list of national assets.

The current cordial relations, however, will not be affected during the NFC meetings in which the Punjab is likely to take a tough stand viz-a-viz centre. The Federal Government while holding meetings on the NFC Award will try to make Punjab sit quiet on the issue of census.

According to a political aide of Wattoo, Asif Fasihuddin Wardig, Punjab Government would not give unnecessary sacrifices at the cost of its due share in the divisible pool. He said that the provincial government has taken the exclusion of excise duty from the terms of reference of the NFC very seriously, and will try ensure that it is once again included.