Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 11: Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh also does not see any thing new in the budget presented by Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather in the State Assembly on March 6.
Participating in the discussions on budget in the House today, the NPP leader said except change in figures there is nothing new in this budget.
He said in view of vast experience of Finance Minister it was thought that it would be a path breaking budget with setting new directions but this was not visible any where.
He alleged that budgetary figures envisage near total dependence of the State Government on Central doles and on Centre charity for meeting its financial requirements. Describing the State budget as pauper’s balance sheet Harshdev Singh said the State’s total tax revenue constituted less than 20 percent of the total budgetary receipts.
He said it was ironical that a Government which could not even raise one fourth of its financial requirements on its own, talked of autonomy. Advising the protagonists of autonomy and self rule theory to introspect on the financial position of the State, Mr Singh underlined the necessity of a balanced budget.
He said that the 13th Finance Commission has already sounded the State Government to curtail its fiscal deficit besides suggesting a socially inclusive budget.
Harshdev Singh came down heavily on the Government for giving empty slogans, wishful thinking and making mere announcements without any corresponding output on ground. Alleging that the Government was high on rhetoric and low on delivery, he castigated coalition for giving deceptive slogans only to hoodwink the people.
He accused the State Government of its miserable failure to implement the Centrally sponsored schemes including PMGSY, NHRM, UIDSSMT, IHSDP, PYKKA besides others and has been declared as a tail ender.
Singh came down heavily on the Government for its failure to fulfill its promises and commitments made during the previous budgets. The previous budgets contained categoric provisions for the establishments of 50 ITIs and 143 Skill Development Centres so as to convert all CD Blocks of the State but nothing was done to fulfill the budgetary announcement. Likewise, the honorarium of SPOs and VDCs has not been enhanced.
Harshdev said Government though committed to the up-gradation of Jammu Airport, construction of flyover in the Jammu city, Development of Mubarak Mandi Heritage and Cable Car Project and removal of regional imbalances but nothing was done to honour these commitments.
He also strongly advocated for payment of Rs 1000 as honorarium to Panchs.
Describing agriculture and horticulture as potentials Sectors CPI (M) Legislator M Y Tarigami, said these sectors are responsible for boosting the State’s economy but no proper attention has been paid to same in the budget. He advocated special package for farmers so that they can contribute towards State’s economy. He also demanded lowering of interest rate on loans to the farmers to give further impetus to the agriculture activities and demanded crop insurance.
Tarigami also demanded granting financial powers to PRIs, enhancement of remuneration to Panchs, Sarpanchs, SPOs, Numbardars and Chowkidars. He also demanded early conduct of Local Bodies elections and strengthening of PSC for expeditious filling of vacant posts in different departments.
He demanded that stock duty on land used for commercial purposes be increased while for that land used for construction of houses be reduced.
Demanding that agriculture be declared an industry, Ashwani Sharma said that fertilizers be paid attention as they have become very costly.
He demanded a special package be given to farmers and as they face problems due to heavy rain fall and hailstorm in which the crops get damaged. So the efforts for crop insurance be made by Government. By taking such steps Government can bring cheerfulness on the faces of farmers, he added.
Expressing concern over growing unemployment Ashwani Sharma demanded a special package for unemployed youth with preference to border areas. He alleged that the budget has not given any thought to this grave issue.
He demanded special recruitment drive be launched in border areas and the farmers whose land lies under fencing in border areas be given relief.
He regretted that this Government neither imposed taxes on wine nor closed the wine shops. First wine shops permission were given in cities then in towns and now they have been opened in villages also. This is posing a grave threat to the traditional Dogra culture, he added.
BJP’s Jugal Kishore Sharma while opposing the budget said common man had impression that the Finance Minister will do something for his betterment but the imposition of Toll Tax from five paisa to Rs five will add to price rise including kitchen items.
He expressed concern for not increasing subsidy and alleged that the number of farmers has considerably reduced as they don’t get remunerative prices of their produce. Besides no steps were taken for enhancing wages of ReTs, daily wagers, SPOs and VDCs.
Ridiculing the Finance Minister’s claim of providing seventy thousand jobs, he said this will make no difference as seven lakh youth are unemployed in the State. The condition of roads under PMGSY is worst and people are facing power crisis also, Jugal added.
He also demanded ban on liquor. The Government has kept Rs 30,000 for Anmol Beti but the number of daughters is decreasing, he said.
PDP’s Ch. Zulfikar said that the people had pinned high hopes in Finance Minister but they were disappointed after presentation of budget. They had expectations that the budget will give relief to them from price hike but it did not happen. The LPG cap should have been increased and VAT reduced, he added.
He alleged that the people belonging to affluent classes have been taken care of in this budget while the common man was totally ignored. He also accused the Government of its failure in taking care of tourism sector and sought a reply from it that how many tourist destinations were exploited by it during its 27 year rule.
He said likewise no attention was paid to horticulture and people were facing 18 hour power cut. If Government is interested in bringing improvement in Health Sector then there should be total ban on cigarettes, he added.
Alleging that there is nothing visible in the budget on ground PDP’s Peer Mansoor said the Government has failed to fulfill any promise in the budget.
He accused the Government of giving nothing to Kashmiri except bullets and gallows. Kashmir has 46 seats and the Valley and it should be given its due share, he added.
During 2010 unrest in Kashmir when 120 youth were killed Parliamentarian team visited the Valley and later a Task Force announced. But Rs 150 crore were given to Jammu and Rs 100 crore to Ladkah. Kashmir was ignored and it needs its share, he added.
He said the PDP led Government had abolished tool tax on fruit and there was an expectation that you will abolish the same on vegetable but not. He also termed the claims on distribution of Kissan Credit Cards as hollow and alleged that every sector has been given half priority by the Government.
Peer Mansoor said had due attention been paid to tourism sector the dependence of youth on Government jobs would have decreased. The developmental projects started by Mufti Sayeed Government have been abandoned, he added.
His Party colleague Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani said finance management depends on budgeting and auditing. This budged is a rosy picture but it is “such a red rose for common man which has neither dew nor fragrance”, he added.
The neighboring States of Punjab and HP have given priority to Agriculture Sector but J&K ignored. Though State has 90 percent marginal farmers but there is no relief for them and they can’t afford the costly fertilizers.
He suggested that the system in the banks for Kissan Credit Cards has to improve. Though handicrafts are the great asset of the state and major foreign exchange earner for the country but nothing has been said in budget for the same.
He questioned that on what ground the J&K was given number one award when situation is totally grave in the State in each and every sector.
Bimla Luthra while hailing the budget said that Government has done justice with the weaker sections of the society and women folk. Banning the sale and consumption of tobacco and Gutka is a landmark decision of the Government, she said.
Javed Dar said that Finance Minister has taken care of all important sectors which have direct impact on the day to day life of the common man. He demanded early completion of under construction projects in rural areas. He sought adequate funds to upgrade the health infrastructure in rural areas.
Javed called for effective implementation of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to give benefits to the farmers. He also urged for developing cold chain to enhance the sustainability of fresh fruits. He also advocated enhancing compensation to the militancy victims from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
Charanjeet Singh demanded early completion of Toll Plaza at Nagri on the pattern of Lakhanpur. He urged the Government to explore possibilities to develop hydro-electric projects and more industrial units in Kathua. He also called for removing bottlenecks coming in the way of starting the canal on Ravi Tawi to improve the irrigational facilities in Kathua.
Abdul Gani Malik described the budget as pro-people and said that Government has tried to address the concerns of all sections of the society. He appreciated the tax reforms and new recruitment policy of the Government which envisages written tests for all categories. He suggested several measures to bring improvement in some sectors for the benefits of masses.
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