Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 12: Continuing with the budget discussion in Legislative Council today Syed Rafiq Shah termed the budget laid by Finance Minister as routine.
He said the Budget should have been growth oriented and focusing on making the State self-sufficient. He called for more attention to exploit the power potential in the State and asked the Government to recover electricity dues from all defaulters. He also called for addressing issues of Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari people including their permanent settlement and extension of basic amenities. He said the cap on LPG cylinder for Kashmir valley should be increased taking into account its extreme winter conditions. He said remuneration of Sarpanchs, Panchs Numberdars and Chowkidars should be enhanced.
B. R. Kundal appreciated the Finance Minister for people friendly budget and said that lot of concessions have been given in the budget without burdening the poor people, through additional resource mobilization. Highlighting his observations on the budget, Mr. Kundal said that there is no mention of the total debt liability and the amount that has been kept aside for it. He said Government should take steps to encourage local livestock production, to reduce dependence on mutton imports which have remained constant over the years at Rs 700 crore. He said that the Government should declare agricultural zones in the State, introduce double cropping in feasible areas, increase net irrigated area and provide more cold storage facilities particularly in Jammu. He said market checking squads should remain active throughout the year to ensure quality and quantity standards.
Jahangir Mir said that welfare of people should be reflected in the budget and planning should be done keeping in view its short term as well as its long term impact especially focussing on poor. He said that rational approach should always be followed in planning for agricultural and horticulture sectors as it involves major chunk of the State population who depend on these sectors for means of livelihood. He said that budget should be planned to make the State self-sufficient. He also called for better utilization of water and forest resources of the State.
Aga Syed Ahmed Rizvi termed the budget comprehensive and friendly for people residing in all the three regions of the State. He called for enhancing tourism scope in Ladakh to address unemployment, adding that tourism routes should be revived. He lauded the efforts of the Government on completion of first phase of Zojila tunnel and road project and called for expediting work on its 2nd phase. He also called for laying power transmission lines between Srinagar and Leh and also connecting power projects like Nimo, Basgo, Chutak etc. He also called for vesting more authority and empowerment to Hill Development Councils in Ladakh region.
Ali Mohammad Bhat appreciated the Budget and called it growth oriented. He appreciated the Government for taking and completing important road project including widening of Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Mughal road, Zojila road etc. He highlighted urgency of Railway-line to Ganderbal to facilitate pilgrims. He asked the Government to take more steps and initiate more programmes for addressing unemployment.
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