Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Describing the just concluded Budget Session of the State Assembly as little rewarding, the Former Union Minister and MLA, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta regretted that the Government leaders were evasive on many important issues and mum on several others as they had not much to say to cover up their failures.
He, however, welcomed the inclusion of certain provisions of 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution to empower the Panchayats although it was belated step.
Prof. Gupta said that basically it was a last budget of this coalition and obviously an attempt was made to paint a rosy picture to hide their draw backs and also to play to the galleries keeping an eye on ensuing elections. But in fact the finances of the State are in a wood and dependence is mounting at the Centre and also increased imports even after spending of Lakhs of crores to attain self-sufficiency. The growing dependence can be well gaudged that against the pay bill of the staff and that of pensioner.
Another amazing aspect of the State budget was the earmarking of Rs.852 crores as security related expenditure. This was a record amount notwithstanding the claims about improvement in the law and order situation. Originally this spending was Rs.90 crores in 1990-91, when the armed militancy had broken out and serious situation was created.
On the political front, Prof. Gupta pointed out that contrary to their much claims about equal treatment to all regions, the ruling leaders opposed his bill for fresh delimitation of Assembly constituencies. This was done even after the promise made by the Congress in their election manifestos of 2002 and 2008 to ensure fair distribution of seats viz the political power.
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