ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Mineral Development corporation (PMDC) has produced around 4.07 million tonnes (mt) salt and 1.6 mt coal from its mines operating in different parts of the country during the last three years.
The corporation has also contributed taxes and dividends of Rs2183.781 million to national exchequer during the period. “The corporation produced 1,313,009 tonnes salt in the year 2014-15, 1,433,152 tonnes in 2015-16 and 1310,427 tonnes in 2016-17 from Khewra, Makrach, Warcha, Kalabagh and Jatta/B.Khel mines,” official sources said.
While, coal production from Sor-Range, Degari, Sharigh and Lakhra mines stood at 514,469 tonnes in the fiscal year 2014-15, 557950 tonnes in 2015-16 and 581,518,950 tonnes in 2016-17, they added. Replying to a question, the sources said the corporation was in process of installing salt grinding plants at Warcha Salt Mines for production of powdered salt and iodized table salt. It is also establishing plants for production of Gypsum powder and Plaster of Paris for domestic sale and export. Answering a question, they said the corporation contributed taxes and dividends of Rs Rs2183.781 million to national exchequer during the period. The corporation paid Rs 519.459 million in 2014-15, Rs 902.404 million in fiscal year 2015-16 and Rs 761.918 million on account of different taxes and dividends, they added.
Giving break up, the sources said, Rs 927.423 million were paid under the general sales tax head, out of which payment of Rs 220.184 million was made in 2014-15, Rs 328.993 in 2015-16, and Rs 378.246 million in 2016-17. While, it deposited Rs 465.831 million royalty, out of which Rs Rs 153.220 million were in 2014-15, 156.646 million in 2015-16, and Rs 155.965.684 million in 2016-17.
On account of income tax, the corporation paid Rs 92.521 million in 2014-15, Rs 127.830 million in 2015-16 and Rs 116.767 million. An amount of Rs 31.481 million has been deposited under the head of excise duty including Rs 9.534 million in 2014-15, Rs 11.007 million in 2015-16 and Rs 10.940 million in 2016-17.
In addition to taxes, the sources said, dividends amounting to Rs 188 million have been paid to national exchequer, out of which Rs 44 million were paid in 2014-15 and 2015-16, while Rs 100 million were paid in 2016-17.
