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Hridayesh presents Rs 25329.84 cr revenue surplus Budget
Development-oriented Budget, says CII
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CM: Budget balanced
Cong nervous, BJP elated over HC order on civic poll
Migrant villagers return to high valley homes for summer
Villagers can appeal to DM against land acquisition
State got meagre amount under Green India scheme
Ex-MLA: Cong, BJP have failed to provide good governance
100 members of Janmanch join UKD
Champawat to get water
through tankers
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Hridayesh presents Rs 25329.84 cr revenue surplus Budget
Dehradun, March 20 Presenting the second Budget, the Finance Minister tried to do the balancing act by hiking the budgetary allocation in the social sector and also offering sops to women, disabled persons, minorities, IT, hotel, food processing industry and also strengthening on human and intellectual capital. “If you take the revenue and the capital expenditure, it is a revenue surplus budget. We have been able to tame the fiscal deficit which is 2.92 per cent of GSDP, which is within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management venue RBM target of 3 per cent, ” said Indira Hridayesh. To empower women in property matters, stamp duty exemption of 25 per cent will be given up to Rs 30 lakh (an increase from the earlier amount Rs 20 lakh). The Budget also proposes to reduce stamp duty from 2 per cent to 1 per cent in cases of gift deeds in favour of family members. To encourage fruit producers, VAT on fruit wine is planned to be reduced from 32.5 per cent to 5 per cent. To give a fillip to IT industry, the Budget proposes to extend tax concessions against form “C” till March 2015 or till implementation of GST regime. To give relief to the hotel industry, it has been proposed to do away with the luxury tax being imposed on the hotels offering SPA activities. Stamp duty exemption in case of property transfers to disabled persons is proposed to be enhanced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. VAT rate of wire crates used for disaster prevention and flood protection works is proposed to be reduced from 13.5 per cent to 5 per cent. For development of infrastructure facilities in SC majority areas, a provision of Rs 50 crore has been included, which is in addition to the other specific departmental schemes. For the welfare of minorities, Rs 75 crore has been provided in the Budget. Highlights
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Development-oriented Budget, says CII
Dehradun, March 20 "Reiteration of the commitment towards digitisation of revenue records, computerisation of the working of trade tax department's 'e- registration, e-returns, e-payments' etc will bring in speed and transparency," he hoped. According to CII, the tax proposals will provide a boost to the industry in the state. The extension of the tax concessions on IT-related industries will provide a fillip to this industry, an industry which is pollution free and also not power intensive. The proposal to strengthen skill development through skill development centres and setting up of new polytechnics and strengthening the existing ones will improve the availability of skilled manpower. The announcement to strengthen the health infrastructure for the workers, to improve the power situation in the state by focusing on small hydro and other renewable sources of energy, development of pharmaceutical and auto ancillary clusters , focus on MSMEs, are all measures which will go a long way in promoting industry in the state, said Jain. While manufacturing has been a key driver of the economy of the state, the Budget proposals to promote tourism and agri-business will broaden the base of the state's growth. On the agri front, it is estimated that around 25 per cent of fruit is wasted in the state in the absence of cold chain infrastructure. In this context the move to encourage fruit wine by reducing VAT from 32.5 per cent to 5 per cent is a welcome proposal. It will help reduce wastages in fruit production, benefiting farmers, will generate employment and also revenues for the state government. Elaborating on the tourism proposals, Manu Kochhar, Vice Chairman, CII, Uttarakhand State Council, said that the proposed integrated planned development approach, with the engagement of the local community, is in line with CII recommendations. The setting up of a special Tourism Area Development Authority & Development of Tourism as per a master plan are welcome initiatives. Proposals to improve connectivity through helipads in each districts and ropeways will definitely provide a big boost to development in general and tourism in particular, he added. |
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A pack of lies, says Bhatt
Dehradun, March 20 Bhatt in a statement said the state government had utterly failed to use 41 per cent of the funds of the previous Budget. He added it was unlikely that the government would be able to generate resources as it had reduced taxes for high-end users like Spa and Wines in the Budget. He said the government managed to survive last year only due to the Central grant and pension funds of Rs 2,300 crore made available by the Uttar Pradesh government. The Budget was highly disappointing for the common people of the state, he added. |
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CM: Budget balanced
Dehradun, March 20 He said it catered to all sections of society and he gave emphasis to gender budgeting. He added statehood agitators had been allowed free travel in state government buses. Focus had been laid on the welfare of the SC and the minorities.
— TNS |
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assembly in session
Dehradun, March 20 While the BJP has been raising the demand for a probe into the SIDCUL land deal, today it also urged the Speaker to give directions for a CBI probe into the scams being investigated by the Bhati Commission and those under the Vigilance. BJP MLAs did not allow the House to function, forcing the Speaker to adjourn it twice. The Opposition also launched an attack on the government after its MLA Shalinder Mohan Singhal staged a dharna in the gallery leading to the Vidhan Sabha to put pressure on the government to lodge an FIR against former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank in the wake of the revelations made in the Bhati Commission report. "It is a serious matter. Singhal has access to the Chief Minister and he does not need to stage a protest. All this is a big drama as the Congress government is in a dilemma whether to lodge an FIR or not," said Leader of the Opposition Ajay Bhatt. He said a notice of breach of privilege had already been given to the Speaker after Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat had announced the tabling of the Bhati Commission report on March 20. However, the government managed to pass the Uttarakhand Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Uttarakhand Power Development (Amendment) Bill, 2013, the Uttarakhand Plastic and Other Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Regulation Use and Disposal) Bill, 2013, and the Uttarakhand Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukas (Amendment), Bill 2013. |
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Cong nervous, BJP elated over HC order on civic poll
Dehradun, March 20 Despite the efforts of Leader of the Opposition, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), Ashok Verma, to put up a brave face in the wake of this new turnaround, Congress councillors minced no words in baring their panic and concern over the matter. Mayor Vinod Chamoli welcomed the decision, saying that the BJP was ready for the elections. “According to the judgment of the High Court, the administration in the DMC would not require to go through any additional burden or exercise of collecting population data or delimitation exercise. The voters' list is already ready. So there would be no hassle in holding the elections in time.” He also added that the Congress, which made its councillor file the PIL before the Single Bench of the High Court and had managed to postpone the elections because they feared drubbing after facing a serious of debacle on electoral front, now stood exposed. Congress councillor Vinay Kohli said: “Congress councillors are dreading public wrath because of the poor condition of roads and infrastructure. Earlier, BJP government did not let us do much work for our wards. When the Congress government came, it remained busy with first the byelection of the Chief Minister, and then of his son. Now when it is finally saddled in the chair, we wanted to do some work in our wards and placate voters. Hence, we wanted postponement of election.” BJP Councillor Amita Singh said BJP councillors were very happy with the judgment. She said it was irony that state government made its own councillor to move the High Court to delay the elections because they knew that voters would punish them for their 'non-performance.' She exuded confidence that BJP would come back to power in the MC elections. Manmohan Dhani, Congress Councillor who had filed a petition in the Single Bench of the High Court, said: “It is unfair to hold the local bodies' elections in such a scenario where the population in wards are distributed unequally. BJP councillor Rajender Kumar said: “One thing that remains unanswered is that the exercise of delimitation and equal distribution of population could easily be have been done by Congress in the last six months. There was no reason for it to push the panic button and challenge the Constitution provisions in this regard by moving the High Court. Congress will not be able to reap the benefits of its being in power as it did not do anything for the public.” |
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Medical students show talent in rangoli, mehndi, art and quiz
Dehradun, March 20 The lecture theatre of the Medical College was the venue of competitions today in which the students exhibited their feelings through 'Crazy Cartoon' theme under multi-coloured rangolis. In the poster competition, the students under adventure sports theme presented fascinating models of sea-diving, ice-skiing, parachute gliding, rock climbing . Inaugurating the festival, SGRR Education Mission's Vice-Chairman SP Thapliyal said that incorporating extra-curricular activities with studies developed the all-round personality of the students and they should participate in such activities with enthusiasm. On the first day of the annual function, Vinita Gupta, KK Sinha, Shashi, Armeen, Deepshikha, Sunita Mittal, V. Roy, JP Sharma, Nidhi Jain, Sheenam Azad and Rajeev Kushwaha were present on the occasion. |
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Migrant villagers return to high valley homes for summer
Pithoragarh, March 20 According to Forest Department sources, villagers from high valleys of Dharchula and Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district along with nearly 35,000 sheep reached the Dogari and Boom ranges of the Champawat forest division this year. These migrants along with their sheep lived in 20 camps during their six-month stay in the Terai region. They are now returning to their high valley homes to spend the summer. “Of the 13 camps in the out range, migrants living in eight camps have left for their homes in the high Himalayan valleys and the remaining of them are preparing to follow suit,” said VK Mahra, Forest Ranger of the Boom range in Champawat division. According to sources, the migrant sheep this year were saved from epidemics like pneumonia, which killed a large number of them last year. “This could become possible as the Veterinary Department had arranged medical camps for the sheep at Lohaghat, Champawat, Swala, Bastia, Tanakpur, Chalthi and Chamdeval and administered doses of PPR vaccine to them,” said PS Yadav, joint director, Veterinary Department. Yadav added that more than 10,000 vaccines had been administered to the sheep this year to save them from diseases like pneumonia during the winter. |
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Villagers can appeal to DM against land acquisition
Dehradun, March 20 He said villagers whose land was being acquired by the National Highway Authority of India for the widening of roads were going here and there in the absence of any knowledge about the Act. He said camps were being organised for such villagers at different places, where they could place their grievances. A camp will be held at Mohkampur , Miyawala, Harrawala and Kuanwala villages on March 22, at Lachiwala village, Kanharwala, Bhaniawala, Athoorwala, Jeevanwala and Fatehpur Danda on March 23. The next camp will be held in Majrigrant village, Chiddarwala, Khairikhurd, Khirikala, Pratitnagar, Raiwala and Haripur Kala. |
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State got meagre amount under Green India scheme
Dehradun, March 20 A new initiative by the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), the National Mission for Green India is implemented throughout the country. The mission aims to increase forest cover on the 5 million hectare area, improve quality of forest cover on another 5 million hectare area, improve the forest-based livelihood of local communities and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity and hydrological services. In the financial year 2011-12, Rs 49.94 crore was released to 21 states for carrying out preparatory activities under the Green India Mission. Out of this Rs 49.94 crore received as funds through the Green India scheme, Uttarakhand got just Rs 51 lakh, which was the lowest amount among all beneficiaries barring Northeastern state of Manipur that got around Rs 40 lakh. This was revealed in a written reply provided to Uttarakhand Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Singh Mahra by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan in the Rajya Sabha. Uttarakhand got little funds under the Green India mission. Interestingly, even smaller states like Tripura and Nagaland got Rs 350 lakh and 141.50 lakh, respectively, which was significantly much higher that what Uttarakhand got. Further, Maharashtra got Rs 405.77 lakh, Jharkhand got Rs 147 lakh, Kerala got Rs 194.60 lakh, Tamil Nadu got Rs 72.15 lakh, Gujarat got Rs 133.80 lakh, Rajasthan got Rs 275.25 lakh, Madhya Pradesh got Rs 823.50 lakh and Uttar Pradesh got Rs 119.50 lakh. Himachal Pradesh has got Rs 126.50 lakh, Jammu and Kashmir Rs 64 lakh, Odissa Rs 107.50 lakh, Punjab got Rs 125.50 lakh Haryana got Rs 357 lakh, Chhattisgarh got Rs 972 lakh, Assam got Rs 130 lakh, Andhra Pradesh got Rs 89.53 lakh and Karnataka got Rs 267.45 lakh. Thus Uttarakhand got the lowest amount after Manipur despite the state was repeatedly showing its resolve to further increase its forest and tree cover. |
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Ex-MLA: Cong, BJP have failed to provide good governance
Haridwar, March 20 He alleged that the future of leased out properties was uncertain. No development had taken place since the past two years when the city's civic body was upgraded from Municipal Committee to corporation. "Despite being a world renowned city, civic facilities are lagging way behind, and this despite the fact that every six years mega funds via Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh are allocated , which is in addition to the local civic body fund," said Kumar, who was adjudged as the best legislator of Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 1999. While on the state level, the founder of social outfit Rashtriya Krantikari Manch said that there seems to be a hidden pact between Congress and BJP, as both are looting public funds when they come to power. "When one is in Opposition, be it BJP or Congress, both claim unearthing scams, but when they come to power, they themselves indulge in scams. Stalling of Assembly proceedings is adversely affecting the economy of the state and development of the hill state," said Kumar. While manch vice chief Murali Manohar said that despite having seen six CMs, lack of visionary approach by the leaders of these parties has stopped the development process. Urging manch activists to go door to door to generate awareness about the 'corrupt governance' of these two parties, Murali said that the time had come when the public should openly come out and oust such parties which did not have any feelings for the people of this state. Citing factionalism in the Congress-led coalition state government, Ambrish said be it Union Minister of State Harish Rawat or other politicians or ministers, all indulged in petty politics. |
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100 members of Janmanch join UKD
Dehradun, March 20 Panwar said the party would fight elections for local bodies as well as the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Insiders revealed that the party leaders such as AP Juyal, Manmohan Negi, Jay Prakash Upadhyaya and Shailash Guleri would also fight for the post of Mayor. The UKD commemorated founder general secretary of the UJ Rajen Todriya's birthday, which fell today, as Sankalp Divas. Panwar said the UKD would continue to celebrate Todriya's birthday as Sankalp Divas in future also. Todriya had died of heart attack a couple of months ago. He said, "Todriya chose to join hands with the UKD because both parties shared the same ideology of safeguarding the interests of the original inhabitants, hill residents, in the state." He further added that the national parties could never bring development in the state. So the UKD would also take help of those members of the UJ who had not joined the UKD in making efforts in bringing other regional forces which were scattered throughout the state on a single platform. While answering the questions of the media about his not getting the proposals regarding the withdrawal of support to the state government cleared at the meetings of the core committee and the working committee before doing so, he said, he had held a meeting of both committees at Rishikesh in January where a majority of the members and leaders had given their nod to this decision. He denied making the whole operation a secret mission about which only a few confidants knew. He said the party position would now strengthen further after separating from the state government.He was of the view that they would be able to raise the issues of public welfare more strongly and openly on the public front. He said they were tired of answering the questions as to why they took so much time in breaking ties with the state government if they did not agree to their policies. |
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Champawat to get water
through tankers
Pithoragarh, March 20 “Champawat town at present requires 600 litres of drinking water per minute, but we have only 190 litres of water available from all 12 nearby natural sources,” said Executive Engineer of the sansthan PC Kargeti. Kargeti said, “After realising that less water is being recharged in these natural sources for supply to the town, the sansthan engineers have started the tender process to hire tankers to supply drinking water during the summer.” “We have now made preparations to ensure water supply through tankers to the town. As soon as the district administration gives its nod to the proposal, we will start supplying drinking water through tankers to the localities facing a shortage of water,” he added. |
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