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Budget 2013-14
Eating out to cost less now
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Budget gets mixed response from stakeholders in Kashmir
Panchayat members welcome monthly honorarium
40,587 gun licences issued in 2 yrs: Omar
Magisterial probe ordered
NC, PDP exchange barbs over youth’s killing
State wants Army to follow standard operating procedures in hostile situations
Campaign for gender equality launched
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Budget 2013-14
Jammu, March 6 He also proposed continuation of VAT relief on basic food items. For additional resources mobilisation, the Finance Minister, however, has proposed to increase VAT on cigarettes from the existing 30 per cent to 40 per cent and hike the toll rate by 5 paisa per kilogram in the existing rate of additional toll. For the fifth consecutive year, Rather has presented a zero-deficit Budget, with emphasis on strengthening tourism and agriculture— the backbone of the state’s economy. The Budget also emphasised on exploitation of energy resources. Presenting a Rs 38,068-crore Budget, the Finance Minister said: “Out of the total estimated receipts and expenditure, the total revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 33, 970 crore based on the anticipated size and the pattern of financing of the next year’s annual plan”. In his Budget speech, the Finance Minister said of the total estimated receipts and expenditures, the share of central taxes had been kept at the level of Rs 4,485 crore as per preliminary indications, as against the current year’s revised estimate of Rs 4,085 crore. “The economy remained buoyant during the current fiscal year, the upward swing in the arrival of tourists and yatris continued. Along with the government’s tireless efforts over the last four years, the credit of attracting such a large number of visitors goes equally to our wise and understanding people who reaped the rich dividends of peace and normalcy,” he said. “I am happy to report once again that like last year, our tax collections this year are expected to be far in excess of the Budget estimates. The revised estimates are Rs 5,975 crore in comparison to the Budget estimates of Rs 5,419 crore, showing an increase of Rs 556 crore. The growth rate works to about 26 per cent over the last year’s collection of Rs 4,745 crore.” Of the total Budget of Rs 38,068 crore presented for 2013-14, nearly 46 per cent — Rs 17,002 crore — would go to the government employees and pensioners in shape of salaries and pension. This includes a provision of Rs 700 crore for meeting the cost of two fresh instalments of DA. Only 25 per cent of the total expenditure would go into the capital side. Emphasising the need to create infrastructure for agriculture and allied sectors, the Finance Minister said: “The agriculture sector ranks very high on the government’s priority list. For the next financial year, a sum of Rs 1,095 crore is proposed to be spent through the agriculture and animal husbandry departments under non-plan. The corresponding plan provision is Rs 328 crore. This shall receive 3.74 per cent of the total Budget spending during the next financial year.” Proposing welfare measures, Rather announced special assistance for BPL orphan girls. The government would, as a goodwill gesture, provide Rs 30,000 for the marriage of each such girl. He said Rs 3 crore had been proposed for the scheme during the next financial scheme. He also announced that the surcharge on electricity bills of those who clear their pending bills during the current financial year would be waived. While proposing to enhance VAT on cigarettes, the Finance Minister also announced a total ban on import, manufacturing, transportation, stocking and sale of chewable tobacco and products like “pan masala”, “gutkha”, “khaini” and similar products which contain chewable tobacco as one of its ingredients. PDP boycotts Budget speech The PDP boycotted the Budget speech of the Finance Minister, while the CPM has termed it as a lax exercise on the part of the government. The state secretary of the CPM, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has said only rosy figures have been painted in the present Budget, which was devoid of any relief for the common people.
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highlights
PLAN OUTLAY
INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH
Panchayat empowerment
WELFARE INITIATIVES
TAX CONCESSIONS
TAX NET WIDENS
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Eating out to cost less now
Jammu, March 6 Further announcements which could provide some short-term relief to the common man, burdened by the constantly rising prices of essential commodities, flour, rice and paddy, have been kept outside the purview of VAT for another year. Keeping in view the ban on use of polythene carry bags, import of jute fabric has been exempted from the levy of entry tax and tax on durrets, quilt, blanket covers, table cloth, table covers, mufflers, bed spreads, pillow case and pillow sleeps has been lowered to 5 per cent. Pipe fittings, hand-made or machine-made washing soap, cables of all types including industrial cable and “aam paapad” will be now taxed at a uniform rate of 13.5 per cent. “It is a welcome step because eating out has become a costly affair now. Reduced taxes will save people some money. For the common man, life is becoming very difficult and the government needs to understand that,” said Rahul Bhat, working in a private company. |
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Budget gets mixed response from stakeholders in Kashmir
Srinagar, March 6 “We welcome lowering of the rate of VAT on sale of food items served in hotels and restaurants. This is a progressive step which will help generate more revenue besides expanding the tax base,” said Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) president Faiz Bakshi. He also welcomed the continuation of existing tax exemptions to the tourism sector for another year. “This is a progressive step as it will help in promoting Kashmir as a competitive tourist destination. It will also help the hotel industry in the prevailing uncertain circumstances,” Bakshi said. However, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Abdul Hamid Punjabi said all their suggestions in the pre-Budget meeting had not been incorporated. Even as he welcomed exemption of VAT on raw pashmina, Punjabi said there were not many provisions in the Budget to make the economy of the Valley self-sufficient, especially announcements that would have boosted the handicraft sector in a big way. “Sectors like horticulture and handicrafts, which can be developed in a major way as we have the skill and manpower, have not been given the required attention,” he added. Punjabi said the KCCI demand for grant of conflict insurance and a comprehensive package for revival of sick units had not been incorporated. He said conflict insurance was necessary for the business community due to the “fragile” situation in Kashmir. Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Khan said they were satisfied with the Budget as it was “good to some extent”. However, he regretted that only Rs 8,000 crore would be spend on the development activities. “Out of Rs 38,000 crore, a major part of the budget goes into salaries and other things while only Rs 8,000 crore would be spent on development. We wonder what will be the share of Kashmir. We were expecting many things but still we are satisfied,” he said. |
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Panchayat members welcome monthly honorarium
Jammu, March 6 In a press statement issued here, Shafiq Mir while welcoming the announcement said their main demand was empowerment of the panchayats and security for panchayat leaders. “It is the first victory of the Panchayat Conference, but we want to make it clear that until and unless the panchayats are fully empowered they cannot deliver anything to the public,” Mir said. Anil Sharma, AJKPC general secretary, said it was the result of the struggle launched by the Panchayat Conference that the government was forced to propose honorarium for the panchayat members. Sharma said though it was not satisfactory, but a good beginning had been made and its credit should go to the Panchayat Conference members, who raised the voice of the panchayats in a forceful manner. The Finance Minister has proposed to pay remuneration of Rs 2,000 per month to all sarpanches and a fee of Rs 300 per sitting subject to a monthly ceiling of Rs 600 per month to all panches. He also said the government would consider an appropriate insurance cover for them. |
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Baig submits conditional resignation
Jammu, March 6 Baig said his resignation may be accepted as and when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who felt “helpless” to get the AFSPA removed from the state, quits from his Chair, following the killing of a youth in Army firing in Baramulla. Omar was not in the House when Baig submitted his resignation. “I offer my resignation from the Assembly and it may be accepted as and when the Chief Minister, who feels helpless in his efforts to get the AFSPA revoked from the state, resigns on the issue,” Baig said, while initiating a debate on the adjournment motion moved by the PDP on the killing of the Baramulla youth. He ridiculed the Chief Minister for projecting himself as “helpless in protecting the lives of innocent people” and said if he (Omar) as the Chief Minister was helpless, it means everyone in the Assembly was helpless. Omar broke down in the Assembly yesterday after he learnt of the death of a youth in Baramulla, allegedly in Army firing, and said he was himself full of anger but was not in a position to walk out from the Assembly like opposition members. He also dispelled rumours that he
had resigned or had plans of resigning. Launching a frontal attack on the Chief Minister, Baig said, “The government is not run by showing helplessness. You have to run the government by taking decisions and not by giving excuses of helplessness.” The PDP leader asked, “We as politicians seek votes from the people to solve their day-to-day problems. If the Chief Minister says he is helpless, where will the people go?” Baig said the PDP had no lust for power, especially in a present volatile situation, and his party would extend him support if he “musters” courage to quit from his post and take a decision (on the revocation of the AFSPA). He quoted the Supreme Court directives about the standard operating procedure to be followed by the Army and other security agencies. He said the Army and other security forces have to seek permission from the civil administration before opening fire. He said even in areas where the AFSPA was applicable, order of the Magistrate was required to open fire on civilians during peaceful processions. |
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40,587 gun licences issued in 2 yrs: Omar
Jammu, March 6 This was stated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the charge of the Home Department, in a written reply to a question by PDP leader Javaid Mustafa Mir in the Legislative Assembly today. As per the details furnished by the district magistrates, 40,587 gun licences were issued during 2011 and 2012, Omar said, adding that arms licences were being issued in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Arms Act, 1959, and the Arms Rules, 1962, to civilians, Army and security personnel for their “self-protection”. Giving district-wise details, the Chief Minister said 159 arms licences were issued to people in Jammu district while 5,461 licences were issued to people in Udhampur for the period. “Twentyseven licences were issued to people in Reasi district while the number in
Rajouri, Ramban and Poonch districts was 1,302, 4,963 and 35, respectively,” he said. In Kathua district, only nine licences were given to civilians and security personnel, while the district authorities issued 556 licences to people and security personnel in Samba, Omar said. “A total of 994 arms licences were issued to people in Kishtwar district. 193 gun licences were issued to people in Baramulla district,” the Chief Minister said, adding that in
Anantnag, Kulgam and Kupwara districts, the number of gun licences issued was 12, 2,148 and 351, respectively. In
Ganderbal, 18 licences were issued, while in Budgam, Pulwama, Kargil and Leh districts, the number of civilians and security personnel who got these licences was 41, 1,026, 799 and 71, respectively. |
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Baramulla
Killing
Srinagar, March 6 The youth was killed when Army soldiers allegedly opened fire in Baramulla district on the second day of shutdown against the death of a student in Hyderabad. Curfew was today imposed in localities under the jurisdiction of Khanyar, Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Maisuma, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud, Zadibal and Rainawari police stations in Srinagar city, a police spokesman said. Most of these areas are in the summer capital’s volatile old city. The police spokesman said curfew was also imposed in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Sopore and Trehgam towns and in south Kashmir’s Kulgam and Pulwama town while restrictions on civilian movement were imposed in Anantnag town. Clashes broke out between protesters and the police at several places across the region as tension mounted after the yesterday’s killing of a protester in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Protests broke out in several parts of north Kashmir, including the curfew-bound Baramulla town and Trehgam town of frontier Kupwara district. In the city here, clashes between policemen and protesters erupted at several places, including Batamaloo, Habak and Nowhatta. A senior official of a hospital in Srinagar said an ambulance transporting doctors and paramedics was stopped by police personnel near Rajouri Kadal in the old city here and the staff were “manhandled and beaten”. The official said two paramedics had been admitted at Srinagar’s Gousia hospital, where they work, for treatment. Roads across the city remained deserted as shops, banks and colleges remained closed. Residents observed a spontaneous shutdown for the second day. Public transport services, including private cab services, were completely grounded in response to the shutdown. |
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Magisterial probe ordered
Srinagar, March 6 The probe was ordered by the state government during a high-level meeting at Baramulla, which was chaired by Minster for Medical Education Taj Mohiuddin amid rising tension across the Valley. The authorities imposed curfew in various parts of the Valley today morning to prevent violent protests over the killing of Tahir Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Kokerhamam in Baramulla. Sofi was allegedly killed in Army firing during a protest in Baramulla on Tuesday afternoon. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 19 Infantry Division, Major General V G Khandare, said the investigation into the killing had already begun and they would wait for the outcome of the investigation. “We have our system in place. We have our own investigation agencies and we are already on the job. There is a version of unprovoked firing, there is version that there was provocation. Some say this boy was not present, there is version that the Army fired in air and all these aspects are being looked into. That is what the investigation will look into. So it will be incorrect on my part to respond spontaneously as that would affect the investigation. There is a system in place and every minute detail will be gone into,” Major General Khandare said. |
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NC, PDP exchange barbs over youth’s killing
Jammu, March 6 PDP legislators also staged a walkout from the House as a mark of protest against the alleged failure of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to give a “satisfactory reply” on the youth’s killing. It all began after the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Mehbooba Mufti, lashed out at the Chief Minister for pushing the state into an “era of disappointment and alienation”. While participating in the debate on the adjournment motion moved by her party on the killing in
Baramulla, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the NC was facilitating the “murder of
Kashmiris” to strength its hold on power by projecting itself in New Delhi as the only party that could hold Jammu and Kashmir for the country. “They are shedding blood of innocent people to promote chaos and instability in the state and to take benefit of it. Such policies of the NC are fuelling the alienation of people,” Mehbooba said. Taking a dig at the NC for raking up the issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA), she said except giving statements during the last more than four years, this government had done nothing to revoke the draconian law. While questioning the intension of NC leaders in raising the demand for the AFSPA revocation, she said the draconian law,
POTA, was silently abolished without any publicity during Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s regime. “We revoked that law
(POTA) silently but the present regime has failed to revoke the AFSPA,” she said. “Instead of taking some concerted efforts to revoke the Act, the government is brazenly using the law as a propaganda tool for petty political gains,” she said. Launching a scathing attack on the Omar-led government for its failure to give justice to 120 Kashmiri youth who were killed in the summer of 2010, Mehbooba said the AFSPA was not applicable to incidents related to the killing of 120 innocent youth. As soon as she concluded her speech, NC members were on their feet and blamed the PDP for resorting to cheap politics. While the Chief Minister was not present in the House, the PDP members staged a walkout. Later, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar accused the PDP of playing the role of an “irresponsible opposition”. “The PDP’s one-point agenda is to tarnish Omar Abdullah’s image as they are not in a position to digest the growing popularity of the Chief Minister and the National Conference,” Sagar said. He told the PDP to “desist from cheap politicking” and think about the safety and security of people. Earlier, the Speaker, Mubarak
Gul, suspended the routine business for the day and allowed the motion. He expressed sorrow over the loss of a life in yesterday’s incident in
Baramulla. Legislators of various political parties also expressed their concern over the killing and demanded action against the “guilty”. Jammu-based members said the Army should not be straight away blamed for each incident unless the matter is enquired into. |
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State wants Army to follow standard operating procedures in hostile situations
Srinagar, March 6 “The police, Army and other security agencies should exercise maximum restraint while dealing with law and order situations. The Army authorities should adhere strictly to the SOPs while encountering hostile situations,” Minister for Medical Education Taj Mohiuddin told senior police and security officers during a meeting in Baramulla today. Soon after the killing of Tahir Ahmad Sofi (25), the Medical Education Minister had rushed to Baramulla town yesterday evening along with Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo. Taj held a meeting of the civil administration and the Army to take stock of the situation in the wake of the youth’s killing, which sparked Valley-wide anger. The meeting was attended by the General Officer Commander (GOC), 15 Corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash. The Corps Commander assured full cooperation of the Army to the civil administration in the probe. “He expressed regret over the incident and assured that the force would be and has been a strict complier of discipline and commitment,” an official spokesman said while quoting the senior Army officer. “The Army, on its own, has also instituted a Court of Inquiry into the incident and whosoever is found guilty would be brought to book.” The government released Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin of the killed youth. The civil society of Baramulla also demanded a fair probe into the killing. “Those involved in the killing of the youth should be brought to justice as soon as possible,” a senior resident of Baramulla told Taj during the meeting. In the wake of the Baramulla youth’s killing, a high-level joint security review meeting was held at 15 Corps Headquarters, Badamibagh in Srinagar. The meeting was chaired by the GOC of 15 Corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash. ADGP K Rajinder and Kashmir IG SM Sahai were present at the meeting. |
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Campaign for gender equality launched
Leh, March 6 The Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar, launched the campaign in the presence of people from all walks of life, including representatives of groups working in support of women’s rights in Ladakh. The campaign is being organised by the Ladakh International Film Festival in collaboration with the Ladakh Film Industry. Under the chairmanship of Shyam Benegal, Ladakh International Film Festival was started in 2012. |
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Estimates of total receipts: Rs 38,068 cr