Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR June 2: The Opposition legislators cutting across party lines today lashed out at Government for proposing tax hike on several commodities and Aviation fuel.
Initiating the discussion on Budget today, PDP MLA Mohammad Yousuf Bhat appreciated the budget and stressed the need for giving special attention to the welfare of Anganwari and Asha Workers.
Bhat also commended the steps for providing necessary impetus to various Industrial Estates in the State while demanding establishment of Industrial unit at Shopian for which 500 kanals of land have already been identified. He also appreciated various initiatives projected in the budget and pleaded for construction of tunnel on Mughal Road.
The PDP MLA also supported power budget and demanded earmarking of funds for the construction of Receiving Station in his constituency. He said that Shopian area has a huge tourist potential which needs to be exploited.
MLA Shakti Raj Parihar called for the rollback of taxes levied on food items. He also pleaded for creation of Chenab Region Development Fund for accelerating the development of the region. He said that the Government should take adequate measures to address the issue of unemployment by focusing on entrepreneurship.
Shakti Raj appreciated the Industrial Policy, creation of Journalist Welfare Fund, regularization of Daily Wagers and other such measures. He called for waiving off of Kissan Credit Card loans and pleaded for enhancement in its ceilings.
MLA Raja Manzoor demanded that all works should be done in Government departments in a time bound manner. While appreciating the Industrial and Drug policy, Manzoor said that the same should be implemented the way it has been framed. He also pleaded for providing incentives to doctors working in border areas.
The NC MLA Mian Altaf Ahmad said that the budget lacks many provisions to ensure a healthy socio-economic development. He called for strengthening the working of key departments of PHE and PWD in all districts. While raising the issue of pending liability to contractors he asked the Government to release the money in a stipulated time. He also demanded filling up of various vacancies at key posts in the administration.
Congerss MLA Mohammad Amin Bhat pleaded for early regularization of daily wagers besides demanding increase of CDF up to Rs 5 crore and enhancement of salary legislators. He also demanded for including farmer friendly measures in the budget.
MLA Neelam Kumar Lengah termed the budget as historic and appreciated the 50 per cent subsidy for girl students for purchase of Scooties. He pleaded for introduction of Dogri subject in Kashmir University.
Congress MLA G M Saroori said that the budget has a lot of room for perfection and Government should include the suggestions from legislators to making it as an inclusive one.
MLA Ravinder Kumar Raina said that the Finance Minister has carried forward the ‘Beti Padho, Beti Bachoo’ programme by announcing various incentives for girl students. He pleaded that the incentives like fee waiver be enhanced up to college level for Below Poverty Lines (BPL) students. He demanded taking more steps for modernization of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
PDP MLA Javid Hassan Beigh invited the attention of Finance Minister towards the accountability and transparency which he termed as a pre-requisite for good governance. He said that J&K State faces un-employment crisis which needs to be dealt with seriously. He invited the attention of the Finance Minister regarding the issue of pending salary of SSA teachers.
The House later concluded discussion on Budget with Finance Minister replying to the discussion.
In the Legislative Council, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Ramesh Arora sought the attention of Government towards shutdown call that has been issued by both Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) against the proposals of tax hike from 5% to 14.5% in Schedule D-I, Tax rate on Aviation Turbine Fuel enhanced from 20 to 25 per cent and Entertainment duty on satellite and cable TV operators of `50 per connection per month.
The BJP MLC urged the Finance Minister to address the concerns of the business community and take their demands into considerations before implementing the proposals.
During the discussion on Budget, Congress MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga accused the Government of failing to fulfil the commitments of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He said the tax hike on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) will not only affect Tourism Industry but also common people as it would increase air fares.
Qaiser Jamsheed Lone of National Conference said the trade bodies of the Jammu and Kashmir have been disappointed by the Finance Minister. He said instead of providing relief to trade community who were devastated by the floods of September 2014 the hike in taxes has been proposed. “For common man, this (Budget) is a burden,” he said. “The business community has protested against these hikes and have also called for shutdown,” said the NC MLC.
Though speaking in favour of Budget, ruling BJP MLC, Ajatshatru Singh, said the steep increase of 5 to 14.5 percent in Schedule D-I will increase corruption and goods smuggling in the State and urged State’s Finance Minister to roll back these hike proposals. He however hailed Finance Minister for ‘seriously focusing’ on Industrial sector but requested for Single Window System in the State. Referring to the shutdown call, he urged the FM to take trade community into confidence.
Congress MLC, Jugal Kishore, said there is no justification for proposing increase in taxes. Referring to the ATF tax hike proposal, he said it will directly affect the Tourism Industry of the State. Besides, he also castigated the FM over the proposals to hike toll tax, entertainment duty and 1% VAT and said that the traders have been left distressed due to the Budget proposals.
The BJP MLC, Sofi Yousuf also opposed the proposal of tax hike on ATF and urged State Government to seek fixed air fare to J&K from Centre. Others who opposed tax hike proposals on Aviation and essential commodities include NC MLC Dr Shehnaz Ganai, BJP MLC Charanjeet Singh and NC MLC Dr Basheer Veeri.
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