SWABI: The Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) has demanded 25 per cent share in Rs103 billion, which the federal government gets each year through different direct and indirect taxes on the tobacco crop.

Addressing a ceremony here on Tuesday, PTB Chairman Fareedullah Khan said that the amount would be spent on the welfare of tobacco growers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. `We have written a letter to the federal government in this connection,` he said.

The ceremony was organised in the honour of those tobacco cultivators, whose bhatta (furnace) had accidentally burnt during the curing of Virginia tobacco in year 2013-14.

Total 138 bahatta ownersbelonging to different areas of the district were given cheques of Rs2.82 million. The total amount with PTB in this head is Rs 9.4 million. Deputy Commissioner Mattiullah Khan was also present on the occasion.

Each bahatta owner got Rs20,500 and the same amount would be given to the affected farmers of other tobacco growing areas as well.

The fund has been raised from the tobacco leaves fallen from tobacco bundles during tobacco purchasing season.

The PTB chairman said that if the tobacco growing and purchasing environment in district Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Mansehra, Buner and some areas of Swat was disturbed, it would have worst impact on the local economy.FIRECRACKERS SEIZED: Police have seized a large number of firecrackers and vowed to continue a crackdown against the violators of law across the district. Sources said that District Police Officer Sajjad Khan directed all the police stations to take prompt action against the sellers, purchasers and users of firecrackers.

Station house officers (SHOs) of each police station is responsible for maintaining order in his jurisdiction and preventing the use of firecrackers during Eid days.

The people have been warned that they should educate their children about the use of firecrackers. They have asked to inform the nearest police station if they notice sale or use of firecrackers.Correspondent