Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Saying that formulation of roadmap for faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth is the fulcrum of State’s planning and budgeting, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, A.R. Rather on Sunday said that all the possibilities and opportunities will be pooled to make the budget proposals for ensuing financial year representative to the needs and aspirations of the people.
Speaking to the members and representatives of PHDCC, Institute of Public Opinion, Industrial Associations of IGC Samba, Bari Brahmana, Kathua Gangyal and various Transport Associations of Jammu on the second consecutive day of pre-budget discussions, Mr. Rather said while it was endeavor of the Government to make the budget proposals pro-people and business friendly, the trade and industry too has an obligation to cooperate with the tax enforcing agencies at various levels, keeping in view the revenue interests of the State and ensure that there is zero tax evasion.
The Minister said, with a view to mitigate hardships of the business community on account of traffic jams and wastage of time in tax clearance, the Government has recently commissioned one of the best in the country, fully computerized New Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur hoping that it will prove a turnaround in the promotion of trade and industrial growth in the State.
“But traders will have to abide by the rules and regulations to ensure zero percent tax evasions and law violations adding that it was disheartening to note that 24000 suspected violations have been reported at the Toll Post in last fiscal against only 2% seizures, though Government follows the policy of “no seizures” at all.
He said only random 4-5 vehicles are presently detained for physical checks at the Toll Plaza, Lakhanpur, adding that the Government endeavors to further minimize such checks for convenience of the business and transporters fraternity.
The delegations presented their memoranda of demands and raised various issues which mainly included VAT remission extension, annual assessment of raw material/finished goods for toll tax exemption, 3% interest subsidy to industrial units set up prior to 2002 also, reduction in electricity duty, amnesty scheme by PDD, creation of new industrial estates and marketing support to local SSI units.
The IPO demanded setting up of more parking lot in Jammu , check on food adulteration, setting up of a Health Standard Regulatory Autority, adequate budgetary provision for scientific treatment of medical and other wastes, operationalization of the District Sports Bodies, good budgetary allocations for Beti Anomol Scheme to address gender disparity, expeditious execution of already approved sewerage treatment plants for the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar and incentives like land and tax concession for setting up of hospital/health institutions in the State.
Amongst others, Vikrant Kuthalia, Rahul Sahai, Rajinder Motial of PHDCC, J&K Chapter, Arun N. Gupta of IPO, Anil Raina, Davinder Verma, Lalit Mahajan, Balbir Gupta and Anil Suri of various Industrial Associations of Gangyal, Kathua, Samba and Bari Brahamna industrial estates and Mukesh Vaid and Vinod Sharma of Goods and Transport Companies Association were also present during pre-budget discussions.
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