Jammu, March 11 (Scoop News) – Members cutting across party affiliations today appreciated the Finance Minister for proposing ban on tobacco products including gutka and demanded that consumption of wine and cigarettes within the State should also be discouraged.
Continuing discussion on the Budget speech, M. Y. Tarigami said Agriculture and Horticulture are potential sectors responsible for boosting the State’s economy to which he sought more attention. He advocated special package for farmers so that they can contribute towards State’s economy. He has asked for lowering the interest rate on loans to the farmers to give further impetus to the agricultural activities.
Tarigami demanded granting financial powers to PRIs, enhancement of remuneration to Panchs, SPOs, Numberdars and Chowkidars. He also demanded early conduct of Local Bodies elections and strengthening the PSC for expeditious filling of vacant posts in different departments.
Mrs. Bimla Luthra while hailing the budget said that Government has done justice with the weaker sections of the society and women folk. Banning the sale and consumption of tobacco and Gutka is a landmark decision of the Government, she said.
Ashwani Sharma sought special measures for the welfare of farming community, adding that majority of people are associated with this important sector and Government should announce a package to boost this sector. He advocated introduction of Crop Insurance Scheme to guard the interests of the farmers. He also hailed banning gutka and pan masala adding the sale and consumption of cigarettes and wine should also be discouraged which he said is spoiling the younger generation.
While drawing the attention of the Government towards the plight of the people living in border areas, Ashwani said that a huge chunk of land has been acquired by the army for border fencing and they have not been paid any compensation for past many years. He urged the Government to expedite compensation to the affected farmers.
Ashwani also called for addressing the issues of PoK/Pak displaced persons at the earliest.
Jugal Kishore Sharma said that this will add to the woes of poor sections of the society. He sought lifting of VAT on Defense Canteen goods, regularization of daily wagers in various departments who have completed seven years. He also demanded ban on wine and restriction on issuing new wine licenses.
Ch. Zulfikar Hussain described the budget as a directionless document and said that Government has no roadmap for checking the price rise on essential commodities. He suggested that Government should explore its own resources to generate revenues. He also advocated exploiting new tourist destinations to give impetus to the tourism activities.
Javed Dar said that Finance Minister has taken care of all important sectors which have direct impact on the day to day life of the common man. He demanded early completion of under construction projects in rural areas. He sought adequate funds to upgrade the health infrastructure in rural areas.
Javed called for effective implementation of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) to give benefits to the farmers. He also urged for developing cold chain to enhance the sustainability of fresh fruits. He also advocated enhancing compensation to the militancy victims from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
Charanjeet Singh demanded early completion of Toll Plaza at Nagri on the pattern of Lakhanpur. He urged the Government to explore possibilities to develop hydro-electric projects and more industrial units in Kathua. He also called for removing bottlenecks coming in the way of starting the canal on Ravi Tawi to improve the irrigational facilities in Kathua.
Harshdev Singh said Government has failed to minimize fiscal deficit gap and curbing unpredictable expenditure. He said Government has failed to fulfill its earlier commitments and no roadmap has been drawn to complete the projects which have been undertaken earlier. He said bad pockets have been totally ignored. There is no mention about the expansion of Jammu Airport, Cable Car Projects at Patnitop and Mubarak Mandi, he said. He demanded reduction of VAT on Desi Ghee, dry fruit and shoes on the pattern of neighboring States.
Peer Mansoor Hussain said that Government has no concern for the genuine problems of the people. He said tourism Sector has been totally ignored and no new project has been taken up. He said Government failed to utilize funds under SSA and it must fix the responsibility for the same.
Abdul Gani Malik described the budget as pro-people and said that Government has tried to address the concerns of all sections of the society. He appreciated the tax reforms and new recruitment policy of the Government which envisages written tests for all categories. He suggested several measures to bring improvement in some sectors for the benefits of masses.
Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani said that Government has ignored all important sectors in the budget. He demanded promotion of handicraft sector to give impetus to the traditional artisans. He called for improving the health services in the rural areas. He also expressed concern over the substantial decline in sex ratio and demanded taking steps to curb sex determination tests at diagnostic labs.