SWABI, Aug 12: The Anjuman-i-Kashtkaran Swabi (AKS) has threatened that they would set on fire their products of Virginia tobacco in front of the tobacco purchasing companies if the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government has failed to withdraw the imposed Cess Development Tax (CDT) and give up the flagrant violations of tobacco marketing law — MLO 487.

This was decided at a meeting organized by the AKS here on Tuesday which was largely attended by the tobacco growers and parliamentarians of the district. The MMA MNA Mohammad Usman advocate, MPA and chairman of Swabi Qaumi Mahaz Dr Mohammad Salim, union council Nazims and growers attended the meeting.

The speakers came down heavily on the MMA government and alleged that instead of taking steps for the strengthening financial position of the growers the government of Akram Durrani had put more financial burden on them.

They said neither Pakistan Tobacco Company, Lakson Tobacco Company nor the small cigarette manufactures of the tobacco business community would pay the “unjust CDT” but the whole burden had been transferred to them.

With the imposition of the CDT, they said, the prices of tobacco had touched the rock-bottom and its future prospects turned dark. They claimed that the government and companies were responsible for the present situation.

They said that the exploitative tactics of the companies had already deprived a number of people from their source of livelihood and further victimization would create more deplorable situation for the people of the area as tobacco was the only cash crop and there were no other employment opportunities where the people could earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.

They said the expenditures of 80 per cent the people of the district had linked with the selling of tobacco products and the policy of targeting of tobacco crop was meant to target the people of the district.