Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: Starting the general discussion on the Budget in Legislative Council today Sheikh Ghulam Rasool called the Budget laid by Finance Minister this year as precise, to the point and friendly to the common man.
He said that despite financial constraints, State is witnessing growth and GDP is increasing. He said Finance Minister has done excellent job over the years in Budget management and vital sectors have received due allocations. He said that growth potential is being utilised and contribution of service and agriculture sector is improving. He urged to bring further improvement in the farm sector, adding that agri-universities in Srinagar and Jammu should be asked to come up to the expectations of the farming community. He said that several new budget proposals in the budget are appreciable.
Bashir Ahmad Magray highlighted the impact of inflation on the poor people and said that prices of essential commodities milk, gas, k.oil, petrol, and diesel are increasing frequently. He asked planners and finance experts of the State to devise a suitable mechanism to regulate prices of essential commodities so that prices remain under control and market is not allowed to exploit the poor.
He said forest, handicrafts, tourism and horticulture have remained major sectors of revenue for our State and the same need extra and sustained attention so that these resources get properly utilized. He said power infrastructure in rural areas also needs immediate attention. He called for marketing facilities for agricultural goods and VAT concession on fertilizers.
While lauding the Government for providing remuneration to Sarpanchs and Panchs, Mr. Magray called for increasing remuneration to Numberdars and Chowkidars also.
Describing the budget as pro-poor Sham Lal Bhagat said that farm and education sectors have received due attention in the budget. He said that orphans and children belonging to poor families should be supported in getting education apart from the financial assistance extended to them in the budget to facilitate their marriage. He welcomed the expansion in mobile schools for children belonging to Gujjar and Bakerwal Communities to meet their educational requirements. He also lauded the decisions of the Government to provide remuneration to Panchs and Sarpanchs.
Javed Ahmed Rana termed the budget people friendly and meeting the aspiration of the common man and supportive to the down-trodden and backward areas of the State. Underlining the significance of peace for development and progress in the State, he said that all parties should work for strengthening the unity of the nation. He appreciated the efforts of the Government in addressing the burning issue of unemployment. He said that Government should pay attention to absorb and recruit ITI trained youth and several pending SRO cases be expedited and given one time relaxation.
Ali Mohammad Dar while appreciating the efforts of the Finance Minister termed the budget as people friendly. He complimented the Government for providing financial assistance to orphans. He said that tax concessions to farmers and on eatables is a welcome step. He also welcomed the Government initiative to clear pending statutory liabilities including CPF and gratuity of some corporation employees and enhancement in the ex-gratia relief in favour of next of the kin of those killed in the incidents of militancy. While appreciating the Government on providing remuneration of Rs. 2000 per month to Sarpanchs, Mr. Dar asked the Government to consider Rs. 1000 per month to Panchs.
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