Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: J&K’s Budget for 2015-16 is a challenging task for the present Government which had to steer the State out of fiscal bankruptcy and at the same time meet the aspirations of various sections of society, said Harshdev Singh, Chairman, JKNPP and former Minister.
He said that people had pinned high hopes from the present dispensation regarding creation of suitable economic environment propelling economic growth with proportionate improvement in human development resulting in higher levels of well being, which is the ultimate objective of a sound and buoyant budget.
Singh hoped that Finance Minister with his enormous experience as an economist would be instrumental in transferring the perception of the budget being seen merely as a statement of income and expenditure.
He said that the budget 2015-16 being the first budget of the coalition Government was expected to spell out the strategic intent as well as long term priorities of the Government.
Singh added that the Government must give priority attention to removal of regional imbalances besides investing adequately in social sector, infrastructure creation, health, agriculture besides enhancing per capita income, attaining high standards of social development (Human Development Index) and creation of employment opportunities.
He called for early establishment of IIT and IIM in Jammu region and AIIMS in Srinagar as announced. He called for due and equitable share to Jammu region with adequate funds for Mubarak Mandi Cable Car Project, Patnitop Gondola Project, Development of Tourist resorts of Jammu region, Jammu Airport expansion and Modernization besides development of Smart cities in Jammu and Katra and cautioned BJP to ensure the provision of adequate funds in the Budget for the same.
He called for creation of infrastructure for various administrative units including Tehsils, Niabats and CD Blocks as announced by previous Government at the earliest. He called for provision of staff, infrastructure and other requisite manpower in hundreds of schools and health institutions. He emphasized the need for consolidation in the budget of the existing institutions rather than going for reckless expansions only to serve the political ends without conferring any corresponding benefit to the ultimate users.
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