The House today took up General discussion on Budget 2016-17.Initiating the discussion, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Uri appreciated the government’s move of rationalization in State’s Annual Budget, adding that rationalization of tax system is a positive step. He said that the budget has many good initiatives but more focus should have been given to areas like health, education and social welfare.Mr. Sat Paul Sharma congratulated the government for presenting a comprehensive budget. He said that the Finance Minister has successfully incorporated Late Mufti Sahib’s vision of corruption-free state in his budget. It is for the first time that the points raised in CAG report have been considered in the budget, he added. He said that previously people had to wait for months to get their General Provident Fund, but now they can get it with the click of a button.Mr. Sharma demanded increase in the amount for the funds allotted to develop young entrepreneurs. He said the amount should be increased up to Rs 20 crores with 10 crores each for both Jammu and Kashmir provinces to give a boost to young entrepreneurship in the state. Similarly Journalist Welfare Fund should also be enhanced from Rupees two to five crores, he further added.Apart from requesting to provide better vehicles to police, Mr. Sharma also requested the government to exempt tax imposed on Dhabas and Eateries.Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora questioned the budget for what he termed as lack of roadmap. He said that unless the state does not develop its resources, its dependence on outside sources would continue. Mr. Jora asked the government to take steps for the regularization of 61,000 daily wagers, adhoc, contractual and causal laborers.
Pleading for “Gender Budgeting”, Mr. Jora said the budgeting would empower the women of the state in real sense. He requested for finding four departments where 50 percent of funds allocation would go towards women, and ensure every scheme has equal flow of funds for the same.Mr. Jora suggested taking up of few major power projects. He said it would not only become our resource but would also turn around state’s economy.Engineer Abdul Rashid while appreciating the budget said that government should be lauded for waiving off school fee of girls upto higher secondary level besides allocating funds for establishment of Food Testing laboratory.
He demanded enhancement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to Rs five crore and hike in salaries of Legislators.He also pleaded to develop Bungus valley as a tourist destination, and ban on the sale of alcohol.Mr. Devinder Singh Rana demanded economic survey be made public as it informs people of the works carried out by the Government in their previous year of governance.
While appreciating the approval for autonomy given to Universities, Mr. Rana said government should also give them administrative autonomy.Mr. Rajiv Jasrotia said that the budget is sincere and honest effort to get the state out of present economic turmoil. He said that the budget is aimed to weed out corruption from the system and society, and it talks about the marginalized and neglected section of the society.He said that the government aims for speedy implementation of PM’s developmental programmes, including women empowerment, release of Dearness Allowance from January 2016.Mr. Choudhary Qamar Hussain said the budget is a relief to people as it addresses the issues for which they voted the Government.Mr. Hussain said the government has done commendable job by focusing on development of industry sector. He lauded the budget for proposing 30 units of free power to BPL families.While demanding up gradation of electricity transmission in far flung areas Mr. Hussain said there are many villages where the high tension wires are still tied with the trees. He also demanded increase of Journalist Welfare Fund to Rs six crore and establishment of press clubs in each district.Concluding today’s discussion Hakim Mohammad Yaseen said that the Budget has a scope for improvement. He demanded for earmarking of funds for Doodhpathri, and Yusmarg Development Authorities, besides, development of Tosamaidan. He also urged enhancement of CDF.