KARACHI, Oct 14: The Sindh government has exempted all imports made in connection with earthquake relief from levy of infrastructure cess. The provincial excise and taxation department had moved a summery in this regard.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Sindh cabinet held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

The excise and taxation department collects the infrastructure cess under Section-9 of the Sindh Finance Act-1994 and the Sindh Development and Maintenance of Infrastructure Cess Rules-1994 on all imports at the rate of 0.5 per cent of the cost and freight value of the goods imported.

The department had stated that a huge quantum of relief goods was expected to arrive from various countries and international organizations, especially in the resettlement/rehabilitation phase, through the airport and seaports of the province.

Since the federal government had already exempted such relief goods from levy of federal taxes/duties, it would be an appropriate gesture of goodwill if the government of Sindh also exempted such relief goods from levy of infrastructure cess, it suggested.    

Later, briefing newsmen about the cabinet meeting, Adviser to the CM Salahuddin Haider said the cabinet was told that a sum of Rs30 million had been extended by the provincial government towards the earthquake relief efforts.

An amount of Rs10 million had been transferred each to the NWFP and Azad Kashmir governments whereas another Rs10 million had been contributed to the President’s Relief Fund for the Earthquake Victims-2005.     Dr Arbab expressed his pleasure over the remarks made at the National Security Council meeting that Sindh had excelled in relief work.

According to the adviser, the meeting was informed that relief goods worth Rs1 billion had already been dispatched whereas more consignments worth several billion rupees would be dispatched soon to the quake-hit areas.     It was told that in all, 700 relief camps had been set up in the province, 50 per cent of them in Karachi. The relief goods were transported through 24 flights of C-130 planes, besides other flights operated by PIA and private airlines, and four goods trains.     More than 30,000 tons of relief material, included blankets, tents and medicines worth Rs15 million, has been dispatched from Sindh so far. The Sindh government has also sent 53 doctors to the affected areas.     The cabinet thanked the army and air force for extending their cooperation in this regard.     The adviser said that the Sindh government had exempted all imports relating to the earthquake relief from infrastructure cess levy.

He said that two provincial government officers, one of grade-20 and the other of grade-18 to Azad Kashmir for strengthening the administrative machinery there. They would report to the AJK chief secretary, the adviser said.     He said the cabinet appreciated the political parties and NGOs which had actively been taking part in the collection of relief goods. The role played by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in this respect was particularly lauded, he added.     The MQM has dispatched relief goods worth Rs180 million by 100 trucks and more than 300 mini-buses. It has also sent 300 volunteers and doctors to the affected areas.

The adviser told newsmen that the cabinet noted that the provincial government was ready to extend every sort of assistance required for the earthquake victims.     The cabinet regretted that transporters had raised fare, and warned of strong action against those indulging in overcharging.—APP