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| 'Discrimination with Jammu' | | Govt's policy akin to 'Robbing Peter and Paying Paul': Harsh | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 17: Accusing the ruling National Conference led coalition of pursuing policies akin to "Robbing Peter and Paying Paul," Leader of the Panthers Legislature Party and MLA Ramnagar, Harsh Dev Singh today warned the government of its "partisan" and "differential" policies and sought equitable share and equal opportunities for all the three regions of the state.
The JKNPP MLA also described the annual Budget presented by Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather as "Pauper's balance sheet."
Participating in the debate on Budget 2010-11 in Legislative Assembly here, Harsh said, "The Budget proposals presented by the Finance Minister had belied the hopes and expectations of the common man. The government had tried to woo the common masses by providing some cosmetic concessions without realizing the ramifications of enhancement proposed in VAT and Toll Tax," he observed.
He alleged that the increase in VAT and Toll Tax would have a cascading effect on the prices of essential prices and inflationary tendencies in the state. "Enhancement in VAT would lead to enhanced prices of several essentials including drugs, edible oils, vegetables, processed food, silk, utensils, bed sheets, covers, carpets, coffee beans, stationary, cups glasses, coir products, aluminum and alloys besides several other commodities," he maintained.
Castigating the government for its policy of regional bias and condemned the "hostile discrimination" meted out to Jammu region, the JKNPP MLA said that Jammu region accounted for more than 76 per cent of the total taxes collected in the state on account of GST/VAT, excise duty, toll tax, motor spirit tax, passenger tax, entry tax, property tax, and stamp duty with a meager 23 per cent coming from Kashmir division.
He pointed out that during 2007-08 and 2008-09, Jammu region accounted for Rs. 3355.92 crores as tax in respect of aforesaid taxes and duties out of a total tax collection of Rs. 4396.20 crores for the state thus contributing 76.33 % of the total state taxes.
"Like-wise the revenue realized in the power sector comprised of around 65 per cent collection in the form of power tariff from Jammu region during the last two years and less than one third of the collection coming from Kashmir region," he said and regretted that when it come to allocation of funds, Kashmir region was given more than 2/3rd while Jammu was allocated less than one third of the funds.
He made references to certain recent instances of bias wherein the congress-NC had announced Rs 1100 crores project for Dal Lake, Rs 356 crore for Wullar lake, Rs 2200 crore project for Jhelum river conservation with total neglect of all lakes of Jammu region including Mansar, Surinsar, Sanasar and Dalsar and a bare Rs 25 crore for river Tawi conservation project.
Lambasting the government for its shabby treatment of employees class and its delay and deny policy, Harsh Dev Singh said the state is not a "fair-weather" shop. He said the government owed a responsibility to its subjects at all times and was duty bound to address and redress their aspirations and grievances at all times without taking recourse to excuses."
He questioned the "unproductive" and "wasteful" expenditure incurred by various ministers and helmsmen and questioned the austerity measures so loudly proclaimed by the government. He alleged that the grant of Ministers status and accompanying perks, allowances and privileges to various political persons nominated as chairman and vice-chairman of various corporations was in contravention of all laws democratic norms, besides being violative of constitutional provisions.
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