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| Addressing unemployment issue highlights of budget : Qarra | | Says issue of budget deficit immaterial, ensuring funds important | |
JAMMU, JANUARY 22
Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Karra while replying budget discussion today in Legislative Assembly said that the 2007-08 budget lays thrust on addressing unemployment problem in the state adding that earnest attempt has been made to create an effective mechanism for educated youth and others to get gainful employment in addition to government jobs.
Mr. Karra said raising the margin money from Rs. 10 crore to Rs.100 crore under Employment Mission is a bold decision of the government which is expected to give enterpreneurship development in the state a positive thrust. He said the venture capital fund has been set up to help the youth of the state in their employment needs to a great extent.
Finance Minister said that preponment of the budget was a decision of the state government in view of the limited working season and non-availability of funds at the end of the financial year after extensive consultation with political parties, particularly opposition National Conference, business organizations and traders unions. He said the same was also discussed with central leadership including Prime Minister under the Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad’s stewardship and central government agreed to the suggestion. In fact, he said, Prime Minister hailed the spirit behind such proposal
Dispelling all doubts and misgivings of budget being presumptive or assumptive he quoted several budgets of the past and said budgetary estimates are always made on the basis of the actual receipts and expenditure and the first six months of the last financial year. He said that plan allocation of Rs.4000 crores in the budget have already been agreed by Planning Commission and Rs.1300 crores for Power have also be agreed by the Commission in principle.
Sharing the concern of the members about the rising overdraft Mr. Karra assured the House that he would make every possible effort to restrict it at around Rs.1500 crores. He said the payment of Rs. 147 crores during the nine months of the last year as interest money on overdraft was as a result of the earthquake of October 8, 2005 and the commitment of the state government for the disbursement of relief and rehabilitation of the victims, besides to arrange for funds to meet power sector requirements.
On the Service tax Finance Minister said as against the present projection of Rs.900 crores the state was getting only Rs.50 crore as service tax. He said that service tax levied is still 4 percent less than at the national level.
Giving a ray of hope to destitute and handicapped, the Finance Minister said that the pension being provided to them through Social Welfare Department is being proposed to be increased. He also said that the pre-matric scholarships in case of student belonging to SC/ST, Gujjar and Bakerwals, OBC etc. students would be increased.
He said that the suggestion from various Members regarding enhancement in the pension of ex-legislators is being seriously looked into.
Saying that zero or no zero deficit budget is immaterial and without getting stuck up in this chakerview we have to analyze the budget as per resource mobilization, actual receipts, expenditures and addressing issues confronting common masses and also ensuring funding as per budget proposals. Describing the fudging as crude he said since the leader of opposition has given the tone to the discussion and used this word as such it got reflected in the speeches of many other members also.
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