news details |
|
|
| FM WORKING ON DIFFERENT FORMULA | | REALISITC AND NOT ‘ZERO DEFICIT’ budget this time: Qarra | |
Jammu,Nov 30
Focusing his eye on further improving the financial health of the state Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Karra, presenting his first ever budget in the state Assembly, on Thursday gave a clear cut hint that to boost up its revenue state government may widen the tax base and strengthen mechanisms aimed at improving the tax realization from all sources.
Talking to reporters here at guest house in Jammu after holding series of meetings with representatives of all the political parties and intellectuals,academicians and trader bodies, Finance Minister said he will be presenting a realistic and pro-poor budget this year, marking a paradigm shift from previous years.
He however, declined to offer any comments on the characteristics of 'zero deficit' budget presented by Muzaffar Hussain Baig during his tenure as Finance Minister for four consecutive years.
Responding to a question whether state government would levy service tax on certain sectors and is looking forward to rationalize the tax structure to enhance its earnings, Finance Minister said our endeavor is to identify certain sectors and levy tax without pinching them and in return earning something by way of expanding the tax base.
Responding to the question on total plan size and increasing overdraft of the state government, Karra explained that the plan size will be finalized during their meeting with the planning commission inNew Delhi in the second week of December.We are looking forward to favourable response from the planning commission in this regard, he explained.
On the question of ever increasing overdraft of the state govt, he declined to share the exact figures adding that the situation is not alarming. "The overdraft has to be commensurate with total spending of the state and there is no need to push panic buttons"he said.
On the question of setting up Special economic zones in the state, Karra said we have not ruled it out completely.When his attention was diverted towards the fact that chief Minister has already opposed the move Karra said before taking a final decision on SEZ discussion on several factors such as infrastructure support which can sustain the industry, market for goods should be held to check its viability.
On the fate of Sawalakote project he said, without going in to the politics I can only say that state was the only beneficiary and it is bound to suffer on account of further delay . He hoped that soon after legalities of the project are settled out work on the project should be expedited to complete it on schedule so that common people of the state can be benefited.
Apparently satisfied with the response of the political parties to his invitation and open minded discussion on various facets of budget proposals, Karra said we have taken all the political parties, representatives of industry and several other organizations on board to provide us with the feedback and their aspirations from the forth coming budget.
"I am happy with the fact that almost everyone has responded positively and I am looking forward to presenting a realistic budget", he added.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
