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| PDP's Naeem goes all guns blazing; accuses Govt of financial indiscipline, over-reliance on Central funding | | Discussion over Budget 2014-15 in LC | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 19: Terming the last budget of NC-Congress coalition government as 20th century financial statement, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLC and leaders of opposition in the house of elders Syed Naeem Akhtar today said that it cannot be accepted in the 21st century.
Castigating the state government today in the upper house during the discussion on the budget, Naeem said that the only good thing about the budget is that it is the last of this coalition government. "I compliment Abdul Rahim Rather for having presented 14 budgets to this state legislature. These 14 budgets have been presented over a period of around two decades," said Naeem.
While saying this, he added that much has changed in the world during these last 20 years. "The world is now on your fingertips. IT revolution, in which India has been one of the notable beneficiaries, has sweeped across the globe. The world is now a global village. But budget of the Jammu and Kashmir government does not reflect anything of this," added Naeem.
This revolution seems not to have even touched J&K. Size of governance has increased but the institutions have miserably failed to redress grievances of the commoners, said Naeem while adding that 70 percent of the budget of the state government is pre-determined. "We have control over just 30 percent of the budget while the rest of it is decided in New Delhi. How most of the budget is to be spent is decided in New Delhi and not here," added Naeem.
He maintained that state has become habitual of demanding more than its spending capacity. "Those who talk of autonomy should have been more concerned about making J&K an economically vibrant and independent state but they have preferred not to," said Naeem while adding that all stalwarts of NC from ex-Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah to present CM Omar Abdullah are involved in giving out projects to NHPC without even asking for MOUs.
Omar conceded defeat and said that despite making valiant efforts, he failed to get the power projects back. "What makes the situation worrisome is that centre has not released the Rs. 2000 crore special plan assistance. There is no hike in the budgetary allotments. Annual survey which has been released recently has painted an extremely dismal picture of the state economy," Naeem added.
He maintained that e-governance still remains an elusive dream. "Khidmat centres are defunct. Contractors have already threatened not to participate in the tendering process since their payments have not been cleared. Money has become a commodity which is sold in the treasuries across the state. There is liquidity crisis. It would have been better if the government would have taken up long term measures and given up on the short term ones," added Naeem.
He also raised the issue of pending arrears of the retired government employees and sought personnel intervention of the finance minister for their clearance. Nurboo Gialchin of Congress while commenting on the budget said that the figures reflected in the budget proposal are showing that economy of state has improved. Suggesting for increasing the share of districts in allocation of funds, he pleaded for establishment of a Committee to rationalize the employees required in the departments and said need is to set up separate Medical College in Ladakh, besides giving due representation to Ladakh in State Public Service Commission.
Abdul Majeed Bhat of NC lauded the efforts made by the Chief Minister and Finance Minister for presenting Tax free and people friendly budget. He said all sectors have been given due consideration while making allocations, adding that the incentives given to farmers are quite encouraging as a major population of the state is associated with the Agriculture sector.
Hailing the decision for providing insurance cover to Sarpanches and Panches, Majeed also pleaded for enhancing remuneration of SPOs and Ration Money of Police personnel.
Vijay Bakaya while speaking during the discussion said that the job done by the Finance Minister for bringing financial reforms and improving financial management in the state is highly appreciable. He said performance of the state on account of VAT implementation has also been appreciated in the country. He, however, urged for minimising revenue expenditure which has been increasing over the years.
Hailing the decision of creation of new administrative units, Bakaya pointed out that nothing about the new units is mentioned in the budget proposal. He said that if the government fails to make these units functional, it would raise a serious question mark over the credibility of this government. He pleaded for enhancement of cash relief to Kashmiri migrants.
Jugal Kishore appreciated tax free budget presented by the Finance Minister besides giving due consideration to employment. He pleaded for delimitation besides, releasing of 3rd instalment of 6th pay commission arrears. He said need is to work for promotion of tourism sector by way of extending incentives to the people associated with tourism trade including hoteliers for creation of infrastructure.
He said though steps taken for improving power sector are encouraging but need is to make adequate standby arrangements for replacement of damaged transformers besides enhancing budgetary allocation for the same. Describing the budget proposal as comprehensive, futuristic and realistic, Ajatshatru Singh said that need of the hour is to introduce Micro and Macro plans for promotion of tourism sector.
He said major companies want to train the youth of the State by running skill development programmes in the State but need is to generate awareness among the youth and evolving a single window system to make it easy. He said a good amount of funds have been earmarked for treatment of Cancer patients but pointed out to the lack of awareness among the needy patients.
Naresh Kumar Gupta while expressing his views on the budget appreciated the Finance Minister for presenting people friendly budget. He said Government should focus on exploiting the minerals deposits available in the State, besides suggesting for replacement of BPL word with weaker section. He said no amnesty should be given to tax defaulters, if State wants to improve the economy.
B.R. Kundal while speaking on the budget proposal suggested for introducing power auditing system besides setting up thermal power plants in the state to cater to the power needs during winter when water level in the feeding rivers and streams goes down. He said Government should also focus on creating sports infrastructure in rural areas for rural youth. Pleading for restructuring of PSUs, Kundal said that need is to curtail non plan expenditure and discouraging re-employing the retired employees. |
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