Jammu, March 19 (Scoop News) – J&K Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that the Government is bringing reforms in Ladakh Transfer Policy so that deficiency of staff is met in the region and a push is given to developmental activities in the region.
Replying to the debate, on the Demand of Grants for the departments under his charge for the financial year 2010-11, in the Legislative Assembly. Rahim Rather said there is sufficient allocation of funds for both Leh and Kargil districts for various development oriented works; hence there was no need for grant of further additionalties.
Replying to the quarries of some Members, the Minister called for launching a vigorous social campaign against use of alcohol as envisaged under the directive Principles Rather maintained that mere laws cannot bring prohibition as has been the experience in other states of the country. He hoped that the legislators will also exercise their influence against this evil. He said the powers for granting liquor licenses rests with the Excise Commissioner, adding that during his entire tenure as Finance Minister, he has never issued a single liquor license nor he intends to do it in future. He further informed the House that no new wine shop license has been issued since 2005-06.
Referring to the next year’s budget proposals, Rather said that the decision to increase toll tax from Rs. 2 to 5 per poultry bird and reduction of same on one day chick has shown desired results. While it will promote and encourage poultry rearing locally, the reduced rate of tax on a day old chick will give boost to the productivity. Already, there has been a decrease of about 15.84 lakh in import of birds. Similarly, there has been an increase of 24.79 lakh in the import of day old chicks by reducing toll tax per check.
He said that there has been negligible pendency of bills in the treasuries and efforts are on to revive the State Financial Corporation (SFC). He said a comprehensive revival plan for the SFC has been formulated and our negotiations with SIDIBI are on to provide assistance in this regard as the Bank has accepted to right off one part of the loan liabilities. He said the continuous grant of amnesty to the defaulters has been the main factor for losses in the SFC.
Later, the House unanimously passed demand of grants amounting to Rs. 688297.59 lakhs and supplementary demands for grants amounting to Rs. 111692.40 lakhs for the finance and allied departments for the next financial year.
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