Lakhanpur is steadily attaining its importance to the financial and economic health of the State. It is the only entry point through which enormous overland trade and travel between J&K State and the rest of the country passes. Therefore it is not only the border town but implies much more beyond that. We may say it is the lifeline of the State and keeping the line clear, functional and hassle-free adds to the overall health of the State.
Recently, the Chief Minister, along with top echelons of the Government and bureaucracy, formally threw open the prestigious Toll Plaza, a very ambitious project completed at a cost of 42.58 crore rupees. This is a modern plaza with 9 weigh bridges for trucks and 5 bus bays for the buses and light vehicles. Besides a main office block, it has parking facility for 240 trucks. It has shelter place with sanitation facilities for drivers. It has recreation slot where not only traders and businessmen but also the tourists can stay temporarily. All this will mean a drastic change in the entire system of tax collection at Lakhanpur Toll point. With digitalization of tax collection exercise, it is possible to plug the leakages and thus save losses to the state exchequer. Now payment of passenger tax, toll tax, entry tax and other taxes will be made on line. Being the biggest source of tax income, Lakhanpur has rightfully attained its importance and significance with the modern Toll Plaza put in place. While conceptualizing the project of building a modern toll plaza, authorities have not overlooked the need for providing facilities to all who are concerned with trade an commerce activities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed on self-sufficiency of the State in financial aspect. While thanking the centre for frugal financial support to the tune of 7300 crore rupees as plan grants for the current fiscal year, he said that sometimes difficulties arose because of halted release of funds which cause delay in making payments pending for quite some time. However efforts have been made to bridge over this difficulty.
On principle, there is much sense in wishing the State to be financially independent. It is a pious wish that we should not look to the centre for meeting all of our requirements. Therefore the State has to devise means and methods of how it can revolutionize its economy and reduce financial dependence.
It is time that we think about a revolution in our economic and financial policy. Although the Government has been sensitized to the need of creating adequate infrastructure for a viable economic strategy, a mindset also needs to be created which must shed the culture of receiving instead of giving. Unnecessary expenditures have to be dropped and cooperative efforts need to be floated for widening the sphere of business and industrial activities. There is great scope for investment in various industrial enterprises in the State and the big business and industrial houses need to be motivated to invest in our State. They have to be provided facilities and incentives and given assurance that an atmosphere of congeniality will be made available in which industrial and commercial activity will flourish. What the Chief Minister wishfully said on the occasion of inaugurating the Toll Complex at Lakhanpur, is not difficult or a dream to realize. The State has the potential and resources, and proper exploitation of these resources is needed to be cared for. We hope that with the inauguration of Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, new blood will be injected in the veins of state’s commercial and industrial body.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel