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| Time for Modi to provide financial support to J&K | | |
The main interest of people in the upcoming session of the state legislature in Jammu and Kashmir pertains to the budget proposals,especially about the plan of the Government to keep the budget proposals free of new taxes or opt for mild dose of taxation.Notwithstanding the fact that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is in the grip of severe financial stringency warranting increase in its internal resources which could be possible if the Government goes in for imposing fresh taxes.However, on the basis of the strength of the state's economy and that of the sectors of industry,agriculture and tourism people in Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to bear the burden of even a mild dose of fresh taxes.In fact over the years the successive state Governments have avoided imposing heavy taxes and in case the need was felt for raising internal resources and revenue the previous Governments increase excise duty on liquor(country as well as IMFL) and other cosmetics,including tobacco.At one stage the state Government had emulated other states by levying Re one on each litre of petrol sold at different fuel stations.This has been the reason for the state Government for banking on liberal financial assistance from the successive central Governments not only for plan activities but for non-plan activities too.Jammu and Kashmir is one rare state where the successive state Governments have depended on 80 per cent financial support even for meeting the wage bill of state Government employees and those working in public sector undertakings.
This way the scope for imposing heavy taxes is very limited.And if people are keenly awaiting the outcome of the budget proposals,that are to be presented by the new Finance Minister,Haseeb Drabu,they do so to see what benefits Chief Minister,Mufti Mohd.Sayeed has for the masses.Yes,the scope for levying additional taxes has remained limited in Jammu and Kashmir but this scope has been further squeezed by the heavy losses people suffered in Jammu and Kashmir owing to the devastation caused by September floods.What is a matter of worry is that not many flood victims have received any adequate compensation and relief.And if the traders in Kashmir went on a day's strike on Wednesday they were justified because the shutdown was in protest against delay in providing them relief and compensation on account of losses they had suffered because of the floods.One does expect the BJP led Government in the centre to come to the aid of the people of the state because for the first time the BJP shares power with the PDP.And the BJP leadership should not ignore the fact that the PDP may have to bear erosion in its vote bank following forging of an alliance with the BJP for the formation of the Government.
And the only way open for the BJP to fortify its bases in the region of Jammu and make some inroads in the Kashmir valley is to open the strings of its purse so that the state Government has no compulsion for imposing additional taxes.Yes,there is scope for raising excise on liquor because nobody can raise a voice against it as consumption of liquor is treated a sin in Kashmir and a social evil in Jammu.Yes,the Government can levy Re one as tax on every litre of petrol consumed in the state.Not beyond this.The Finance Minister,Haseeb Drabu,can raise the internal resources and revenue by enforcing strict austerity measures.In the past Abdul Rahim Rather, who has earned laurels as a Finance Minister,has not been able to enforce austerity measures that he used to spell out.This time let Drabu see to it that austerity measures were implemented right from top to the bottom.He should see to it that his ministerial colleagues besides the Chief Minister honour austerity measures by way of curtailing fuel expenses and expenses on other luxuries.Let the ministers reduce expenses on entertainment and on electricity.Mufti Mohd.Sayeed should see to it that this time the legislators do not pro;pose further hike in their salaries and other perks. Their salary and perks have already been enhanced. Hope the Mufti sets an example by reducing his monthly salary slab. All these measures may prove a drop in the ocean of financial scarcity, and ultimately it is upto the BJP led NDA Government to come to the rescue of people of Jammu and Kashmir by sanctioning liberal financial assistance which could help the BJP in general and Modi in particular to inflate their image in the state. |
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