June 10, 2002	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28,1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

MANSEHRA, June 9: A session of the district council Mansehra on Saturday unanimously adopted resolutions demanding a comprehensive relief package for the Pakhal valley and other areas of the district where tobacco and tea crops, vegetable farms and fruit orchards were damaged by hailstorm on June 2.

The business of the house was conducted by the Naib Nazim and convener of the house Shahzada Mohammad Gustasap Khan.

The session besides focusing on the damage done by the hailstorm to the crops also demanded inclusion of Balakot and Oghi tehsils and remaining union councils of Mansehra tehsil in the calamity hit areas. The house also focused on the precautionary measures to be taken against the imminent danger of flash floods in the coming monsoon season.

It was demanded in the resolution that the NWFP governor and the federal minister for trade and commerce should visit the areas affected by the hailstorm and announce a comprehensive package for the rehabilitation and compensation of the tobacco growers.

It was demanded of the central and provincial governments to waive off the agricultural loans, water cess and other taxes outstanding against the tobacco growers. The district council session also demanded the share of royalty on the income of tobacco to Mansehra district and distribution of pesticides and fertilizers to the growers free of cost.

Through another resolution, it was demanded that the two major tobacco companies should introduce their separate relief packages for the tobacco growers.