MARDAN: Mardan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has asked the federal government to include its proposals in upcoming budget.

MCCI president Zahir Shah demanded of the government to provide relief to traders in the next budget including tax-exemption and waiver in utility bills.

He told this scribe that traders were affected by Covid-19 pandemic as most of the time business activities remained suspended owing to imposition of lockdown.

He sought special package for traders including relief in taxes, interest-free loans and special incentives. “Concessional measures are inevitable to cope with the post-pandemic situation,” said Mr Shah.

He said that special tax exemption being offered to foreign investors should be reviewed. He said that data of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) should be used for identifying potential taxpayers.

Mr Shah said that the relief measures and incentives would create a friendly atmosphere for business community, with holding agents and Federal Board of Revenue.

TRANSFER: The executive engineer of irrigation department, Sohail Khan Hoti, was transferred after two months of his posting from Mardan division allegedly owing to political pressure, according to sources.

They said that the executive engineer was posted in Mardan two months ago. In a meeting after his posting, he warned all his subordinates of stern action for absenteeism and laxity in performing duty, they added.

Sources said that he told them that those employees, who were involved in illegal supply of irrigation water, would also be taken to task. Besides, he also banned political recruitments in the department, they added.

They said that the executive engineer in BPS-18 was replaced with a BPS-17 officer in violation of rules.

A local lawmaker of the ruling party, when contacted, showed his ignorance about the posting and transferring of the executive engineer.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2021