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| FM pays Omar, Rana back in the same coin | | Says he is carrying liabilities to the tune of 9000 cr as legacy, Announces Rajmah, Mango, Apricot village for Jammu, merger of ISSS, NSAP schemes | | Bivek Mathur
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 24: Giving a befitting reply to the opposition's criticism of Budget 2015-16, Finance Minister Haseeb A Drabu was today all guns blazing against former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his colleague Davender Singh Rana.
Responding to the MLAs from opposition benches including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Shafi Uri and Davender Singh Rana of NC besides CPI (M) legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami's jibe at 'begging bowl' remark made by Haseeb Drabu during his maiden budget speech, he retorted that much hue and cry was created over his statement.
However, Drabu quoting an interview of Omar Abdullah with a national news channel on November 14, 2011 said that it was the former chief minister who made the same remarks in vogue.
"As a chief minister, I find it incredibly uncomfortable to have to go with a begging bowl every year to meet the PM, the Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission and to tell them that I am sorry, I don't have enough money. Can you through something to my bowl", were the words of the then Chief Minister while he was being interviewed by a national channel, said Drabu while replying to the criticism of opposition in the lower house of the legislature.
Pertinently, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was replied by the FM the way Omar spoke on Governor's address i.e. quoting PDP and BJP's stands before and after LA elections through some interviews with the national dailies and news channels.
Drabu said that the only difference between the PDP and former NC-Congress government would be that PDP will provide all details about the expenditures and assets created for the state in the next 6 years.
"We have liabilities to the tune of Rs. 9,000 Cr as legacy and we will put all our efforts in right direction to manage the same in coming days", Drabu said, while taking a jibe at NC-Cong government.
He said corruption is the main issue of Jammu as well as Kashmir. "After assuming charge as Finance Minister, I've received 50 recommendations about whom to be employed at Lakahnpur toll plaza. A kidney patient also wants to be employed at Lakhanpur. I wonder is there any hospital in Lakhanpur for the kidney patients"? said the FM.
On outsourcing of toll tax, Drabu said government will determine the toll but for collection, outsourcing will be done. "We will invite open bids for the outsourcing of toll and the party that will promise to collect Rs. 500 Cr will be given outsourcing as the government is generating Rs. 400 Crores from outsourcing as of now", the FM said.
"Under the power reforms the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) would be offering shares to the public and we hope that people would receive dividends on the same which would in future take care of entire electricity bills", he said.
He said the losses which state is incurring in power sector are nearing equal the resource gap in overall finances of the state i.e. Rs. 4,300 Crores. Once it is stopped, other finances will automatically stabilize and it was the reason why I am advocating separation of the power sector from rest of the state budget proposals.
Drabu proposed to lessen the T&D losses by 20% from the present 60-65 percent so that the state will be self reliant in power sector.
Referring to the Government's initiative of preserving, propagating and professionalizing the traditional handicrafts, the Minister said that craft economy will be made buoyant and to revive it courses of MBA in craft management would be introduced in the twin Universities of the State.
On Public Enterprises, Dr. Drabu said that Government will initiate steps for reviving these enterprises by bringing them under a common ambit so that their resources can be pooled in a coordinated way and the concept of corporate set up can be introduced.
Referring to the Relief and Rehabilitation package for the flood affected, Dr. Drabu announced that from 1st April, a 3-phased rehabilitation plan will be launched starting with restoration of livelihood followed by restoration of business and restoration of houses and assets.
"The Agriculture sector would be revived and developed on modern and scientific basis by introducing certain new and traditional farm practices and in this regard the Khul Development Programme would be introduced on a large scale so that proper irrigation facilities are provided to the farmers round the year which would in turn increase the agriculture productivity and yield thereby contributing in making the State a prosperous agrarian belt", the Minister said.
"We will see that a scheme is framed where area, population and efficiency in the constituency is given due consideration for releasing additional funds besides the normal CD Fund", he added.
Dr. Drabu also announced a hike in widow pension to the tune of Rs. 1000 by proposing merger of ISSS and NSAP widow pension schemes.
In addition to these welfare measures, Dr. Drabu also announced that the Government will try and explore possibility of ensuring that grown up girls get financial assistance at the age of 17 or 21 years depending upon their choice.
Dr. Drabu also announced three more model business villages of Rajmah, Mango and Apricot in the state which would further accelerate the agriculture and horticulture related activities besides creating an integrated business infrastructure and foster a culture of modern business practices in these villages.
He also announced an ethnographic village to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits at Martand-Anantnag and a village for Gaddi-Sippi tribe in Jammu.
The Minister also announced for taking the necessary steps for upgrading the exiting press club in Jammu besides establishing another one in the Summer Capital, Srinagar. |
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