Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 18 : A preparatory meeting to draw broader outlines for the next year's Budget (2014-2015) was held here today under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather, in view of the Government's move to advance the Budget Session of the State Legislature aiming at passing of full budget instead of 'Vote on Account', well before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct by the Election Commission of India, expected anytime in the beginning of March, 2014.
A threadbare discussion was held to device various strategies regarding presentation of Budget immediately after passing of Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address by the House. A tentative calendar was worked out for presentation of 'Demands for Grants' before the House and passage of the Appropriation Bill towards the close of February 2014.
The Economic Advisor to Government, Jalil Ahmed Khan; Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department, B. B. Vyas; Commissioner Excise, Vineeta Gupta; Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Director General Budget, Dr. M. Ishaq Wani, Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Mirza Altaf Hussain, Chief Coordinator Finance, Rashim Kashyap and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
It was also decided in the meeting that the pre-budget consultations with various stake holders shall be initiated from January, 24th and 25th at Srinagar followed by the discussion at Jammu on 27th and 28th January, 2014. There shall be consultation with the representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Federations of Industries, Hoteliers, Traders, Intellectuals and Experts and Group of Farmers separately at Srinagar and Jammu. |
