Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 25: Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu has said that Government will go for privatization of Lakhanpur Toll Plaza to curb a large scale corruption and plug loss to the State exchequer.
While replying to the debate on the Budget in the State Legislative Council today, the Finance Minister said that the Government intends to privatise Lakhanpur Toll Plaza as it has become a den of corruption. He said the traders and businessmen have innumerable complaints against the officials posted there. They are being harassed by the staff posted there and there is need to get rid of this corrupt practice flourishing there. It would go a long way in catalyzing the business related activities in the State, he added.
Dr Drabu said that immediately after taking over as Finance Minister, many people approached him and some asked who is going to be placed there as next DC ? The system has been rotten there. ” We want to set the things right and plug the revenue pilferage at Lakhanpur. We have decided to privatise this Toll Post,” Dr Drabu maintained.
Justifying his point, Dr Drabu said, ” State is getting hardly Rs 400 crore revenue annually from this Toll Post at Lakhanpur. Any firm would offer Rs 500 crores or even more. This way we can enhance our revenue as well which otherwise, may be pilferaged,” he added.
Expressing his resolve to bring reforms, Dr Drabu said that plan and non-plan system of funding will be abolished and the main thrust would be on bringing fiscal autonomy. Launching attack on the previous regime, Dr Drabu said they brought destruction to the economy of the State and left behind the liability of Rs 9000 crore for the new Government. A private firm has been engaged to work on getting all the details related to fiscal mess created by the previous regime and new Government would come out on the while paper on it, expose their past misdeeds.
Dr Drabu said that bringing funds is not big challenge but how to spend them is big challenge. He said need is to strengthen institutional mechanism adding that our efforts would be to bring major reforms in system of over all welfare of the State. He disclosed that plan and non-plan system of funding is going to be abolished with the aim to change the old system. The criteria would be fixed for distribution of funds to the districts for the development. He said it is better to give suggestions on how to take the State towards prosperity rather than criticizing sincere efforts.
The Finance Minister further said that the Budget has been formulated in such a manner, so that it provides succour to all sections of the society and strengthens the economic base of the State. He said various pro- business initiatives have been proposed in the Budget which will certainly bring about greater confidence among the stake holders.
Referring to the Relief and Rehabilitation package for the flood affected, Dr Drabu said that Government was not satisfied with the package of 44,000 crore submitted to the Centre. He announced that from April 1, a 3-phased rehabilitation plan will be launched starting with restoration of livelihood followed by restoration of business and restoration of houses and assets. It is the top priority of the Government to ensure that the people, who were affected by the floods, start their normal business and day-to-day activities as soon as possible, he said.
He also announced an ethnographic village to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits at Martand-Anantnag and a village for Gaddi-Sippi tribe in Jammu.
Earlier, resuming discussion on Budget in the House today, Jahangir Hussain Mir said we have to work in missionary sprit for the development of the State. Advocating for improving work culture in the State, he said that introduction of innovative technology in horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry and other sectors will ensure prosperity of the State. He said State has talented pool of human resources and suggested to give them right direction and position. Jahangir said medicinal plants need to be cultivated on large scale in Poonch district besides promoting the trade of walnuts of Poonch.
Ghulam Nabi Monga while taking part in the discussion termed the Budget as most disappointing. He said Budget is silent about the Panchayats. Advocating for increasing of honorarium of Panchs and Sarpanchs, he said the Panchayat representatives should be given insurance cover. He said nothing has been mentioned about the Medical Colleges and cancer institutions sanctioned by the UPA Government for the State.
Regarding newly created administrative units, he said that nothing has been mentioned in the budget. He also demanded to take steps for revival of Mohura power project in Uri.
Naresh Gupta said that the initiatives mentioned in the Budget are not in the interest of the people. He said a dictatorship attitude has been adopted. He said nothing has been done for the development of human resources. He said opposition should be taken on board while taking decision regarding the outsourcing Lakhanpur Toll Plaza. Talking about power sector, Gupta said Chenab Valley is most affected by this. He also advocated for establishment of Rajmash Village in Chenab valley for promotion of the product.
Ravinder Sharma highlighted the declining female sex ratio and female literacy issues. He said rehabilitation of flood affected people is in the budget, adding that now we have to see how far Government will honour its commitment. He said cocoon production has touched new heights and suggested for promotion of silk products. On setting up of Pandit cultural village, he said a similar villages needs to be established for those that came from Mirpur, PoK. He also raised the issue of remuneration of VDCs and SPOs.
Jugal Kishore while speaking on the subject said that this is a useless document until we can keep happy the common man of the State. He said nothing has been done for those affected by imposing ban on use and production of polythene. He said outsourcing of Toll Plaza Lakhanpur needs to be looked into. He said nothing has been done for our children’s higher education; as they have to move to other states for seeking higher education in various courses. On tourism sector, Mr Sharma said that nothing concrete seems to have been done for promotion and creation of tourism related infrastructure. He also pleaded for enhancement of remuneration of VDCs/SPOs.
Vibodh Gupta appreciated the efforts of Finance Minister and his team for preparing such a visionary budget. He said construction of tunnel on Mughal road will boost tourism in Poonch and Rajouri districts. He said need is to promote fruit industry of Rajouri besides setting up of smart cities. He said social audit need to be made more effective at every level of administration.
Firdous Ahmad Talk while taking part in the discussion highlighted the issues of Chenab Valley particularly remote and hilly areas. He appreciated the budget wherein every section of society has been taken care of.
Surinder Chaudhary said that everyone is feeling that a people friendly budget has been presented first time in the State. He said Finance Minister has taken care of the traders, transporters, industrialists and horticulturists of the State while preparing the budget estimates. He said exploring overseas employment opportunities needs to be looked at so that our educated youth could find jobs in foreign countries and markets. He said smart cities also need to be established in backward areas as well.
Dr Shahnaz Ganai while expressing his views over the budget said that we were expecting that State will come out from the difficulties by this budget. She said there is no mention about the schools opened under SSA and RMSA. She said UPA Government had sanctioned five Medical Colleges for the State including one in Pirpanjal area but the budget is silent about this. She said there is urgent need to construct tunnel on Mughal Road to keep it open round the year. She also said Mandi- Loran-Tangmarg road needs to be constructed. She said Panchayati Raj Institutions need to be empowered. She said there is no mention about newly created administrative units and pleaded for promotion of Saffron and Rajmash of Poonch and Rajouri.
Sofi Yousuf said it is first time that Finance Minister has presented such visionary budget. He said it is appreciated everywhere, employees got DA, Agriculture loan has been waived off and other welfare measures have been announced. He pleaded for enhancement of remuneration of SPOs, establishment of maternity hospital at Pahalgam and release of ration money to Police personnel.
Dr B A Veeri while taking part in the discussion appreciated the Finance Minister for his financial management in the budget but also criticized it on certain points and presented his views on various matters touched in the budget speech.
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