PESHAWAR, Aug 29: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has issued a notification regarding exemption of land tax up to five acres, says an official handout issued here on Monday.

The issue of land tax and farming was discussed at a meeting held under the secretary, Agricultural Department, here on Monday to review the progress on Agricultural Policy for 2005.

Representatives of the CBR informed the meeting that the decision about the exemption of five acres of land from tax had been implemented.

The meeting was also informed that the district revenue officers had been directed to allow 50 per cent exemption on arrears of Abiana till December 31 this year.

Heads of other departments concerned presented reports on development schemes under the policy, such as construction of model farm services centres in all districts of the province, establishment of soil-testing laboratories, biological control laboratories and provision of seeds and fertilisers for Rabi season 2005-6 and awareness about the WTO regulations for farmers and other relevant quarters.

Establishment of buffalo colonies in Peshawar, Mardan and Dera Ismail Khan also came under discussion during the meeting and a committee was formed to identify land for a buffalo colony in Peshawar.