FAISALABAD, July 1: The City District Government Faisalabad (CDGF) has formally allowed contractors to collect toll from motorists on five major farm-to-market roads despite the announcement made by the district nazim to withdraw the tax.

The auction committee, consisting of government employees and district council members, had awarded these contracts a week ago, claiming that the step had been taken to save them from audit objections. But on the first day of new fiscal year, the contractors have been allowed to collect toll from Tandlianwala Road, Jaranwala Road, Millat Road, Dijkot-Sar Shameer Road and Samundri Road.

The auction committee had awarded the contract for collection of toll from Millat Road for Rs4.2 million against the reserved price of Rs5.2 million. However, due to Rs1 million shortfall, the officials concerned has forwarded the case to the Punjab local government secretary for approval. Toll collection from this road would be started after the approval.

The collection of toll from Tandlianwala Road has been awarded to Muhammad Ashraf for Rs1,470,000, Jaranwala Road to contractor Ashraf Ali for Rs3,570,000 and Millat Road to Jawed Iqbal for Rs4,200,000.

The excise and taxation officials claimed here on Saturday that they were bound to auction these roads as they had not been intimated by any of the higher authorities about withdrawal of the tax.