Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 3: Minister of Finance, Haseeb Drabu, today said the new fiscal policy announced in the Budget will tackle corruption, boost entrepreneurship and provide succour to the marginalized sections of society.
Drabu said that Government should have a humane face at a time when market forces are further marginalizing the marginalized section of the society. “At a time when market forces are pushing marginalized sections of society towards further marginalization, the Government has to have a humane face. It’s with this vision that the new fiscal policy of J&K Government has been revised to provide relief to those people who feel left out of the system.”.
Replying to the discussion on Demands of Grants for the Departments under his charge, the Minister said the Annual Budget 2016-17 will infuse confidence in the market, tackle corruption and give a new direction to the economy, he said. “I requested all of you to go through the Budget so that we can have a constructive debate of dealing with the problems faced by Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.
Drabu said the Government is revamping the redundant tendering process which had bred systemic corruption, tattered the economy and also marred the process of asset creation in the State. “I have emphasised in the Budget to change the tendering process and asked the Planning Department to evolve a new process. The idea of revamping the fiscal policy is to build a system which presents a humane face of the Government and benefits every section of the society,” he said.
Later, the House passed the grants of Finance, Culture and Labour & Employment for the year 2016-17, amounting to Rs 20,326.03 crore and Rs. 21,3.28 crore with voice vote.
The members who took part in the discussion on demand of grants included Jeevan Lal, Raja Manzoor, Ali Mohammad Sagar, M. Y. Tarigami, Davinder Manyal, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Er. Abdul Rashid and Pawan Gupta.
Jeevan Lal demanded revenue blocks and treasuries for far flung areas of his constituency. He said Bani has treasury since 1965 but there is no treasury officer. He also said that the road projects in his constituency are hampered due to pending forest clearance.
Sagar while taking part in the discussion targeted Finance Minister and said that he considered him as an asset for the State but he has become liability. He accused the Minister of misleading the House and told him that his behavior is unacceptable. He said that the power projects like Baglihar are achievements of NC Government. He asked the Minister to respect the institution of MLA and not to undermine it. The NC leader accused Drabu of not taking any steps for tackling unemployment.
MLA Davinder Manyal expressed concern over the labour exploitation in the State. He demanded that the Government should take a serious look at it.
MLA Hakeem Yasin expressed concern over the delay in completion of projects and said that some projects are left at the threshold.
Engineer Rashid demanded funds for Receiving Station, Nowgam power project, flyover at HMT crossing and Parking lots in the outskirts of Srinagar for removing traffic congestion.
Pawan Gupta demanded wages for PHE workers in his constituency and said that they are without salaries for last 40 months. He also demanded funds for water supply schemes in his constituency.
MLA Tarigami said that 70 percent workers in private and public sector are working on contract. He demanded social security of these workers that will take care of their health and old age. He expressed concern over the slashing of funds for Centrally Sponsored Scheme especially ICDS.
The members, who moved the Cut Motions on the Grants, withdrew after the satisfactory reply from the Minister. However, MLA Pawan Gupta withdrew his three demands and one of them was put to vote.
Meanwhile, winding up the discussion on the Budget in Upper House, Drabu in his 30 minute speech launched scathing attacks on NC and Congress and said his Budget for 2016-17 is about building State’s economy that will lead to the welfare of society.
“They (Opposition) said there is no strategy. It is a good word. The strategy is simple. There is no private investment and local investment is too little. There is only one rule for the next five years. I will say this openly. The only way for Jammu and Kashmir’s economy to grow is public investment,” said the Finance Minister, adding that the Government would use the same route for next five years, besides restoring balance in capital expenditure.
He said the former Government played with the thousands of lives by engaging casual labour without formal appointments. “You engaged casual labourers but did not give them salary, otherwise you will be caught. You give them money from the O and M component. I will read a very important cabinet order to differentiate between what used to happen in the previous government and this government. The cabinet order is of 2010 on ‘engagement of unemployment youth in the state’. Unemployed is a big issues, a sensitive issue.
Referring to the charge of NC MLC Qaiser Jamsheed Lone that nothing has been kept for Agriculture and Horticulture sectors, the Finance Minister took a jibe at him and other legislators and said: “Wonderful statement to make. I only wish that younger legislators take some trouble to read the budget papers which are very easily done. I request you to at least read 16 pages of ‘Budget at a glance’. Issuing statements is easy, brilliant statement… agriculture… headlines…
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