TIMERGARA, Aug 13: The construction of small hydel power stations in lower Dir would enable the district to generate revenue between Rs400 million and Rs500 million.

This was stated by Lower Dir district Nazim Dr Mohammad Yaqub Khan, while talking to journalists here on Monday.

The Nazim said the establishment of hydel power stations would facilitate the supply of electricity to all parts of the district at very low price, provided the Nepra and Wapda allowed the district government to do so.

He said the district government would evolve a transparent system by involving the private sector in the establishment of the powerhouses. He pointed out that the hydel power stations could be established on the river Panjkora at places like Tarai, Timer and Koto Odigram.

It would be unjust if the government resorted to impose more taxes on the already burdened consumers, he remarked.

About the presence of a large number of non-custom paid vehicles in the Malakand division, Dr Yaqub said that the provincial government had rejected the summary put up by the district government of Swat in this regard, on the plea that the matter concerned the Central Board of Revenue.

He said the district government was making efforts to impose a nominal tax on such vehicles and grant them exemption on the condition that the owners were ready to register these vehicles. He, however, added that no decision had so far been taken in this regard.

He informed the journalists that two television boosters would be established soon at Laram and Islamdarra in the district.

Comparing the local government system with that of the Philippines, the district Nazim said that though the two systems were alike, the elected representatives here did not enjoy the powers delegated to the representatives in that country.