The House today took up general discussion on Budget 2016-17.Initiating the discussion on Mr. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas today said that the Government should be given time to implement its developmental policies.Referring the budget as a transparent roadmap, Mr. Manhas said that the Government has devised the budget thinking on long term basis whose results should not be expected in week’s time.He welcomed the Government’s step to address the issue of casual laborers, and appreciated the move of expediting employees GP funds process.Mr. Manhas said that various developmental schemes in the budget will greatly help in reducing the gap between haves and haves not. He also appreciated the Government for giving 30 units of power free to BPL category consumers.Asking the Government to address the apprehensions of business section of the society, he demanded to incorporate some provisions in the budget for development of tribal population.
Mr. Ali Mohammad Dar said that Government should consider the suggestions made by the legislators in the budget to make it more effective.Mr. Dar urged to address the issue of daily wagers at the earliest, and asked to revise their wages.He said that the Government should implement 7th Pay Commission in the state, besides, the rebate farmers were assured to get under KCC scheme should also be implemented.Asking for macadamization of roads across the state, Mr. Dar demanding flood relief should also be distributed to flood affectees who are yet to receive it. Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said that the Government should incorporate and implement all the decisions taken in the Board meetings.He urged the Government to enhance budget for Roads and Buildings sector for the district, and said that Government should mobilize the resource and use institutions like Lakhanpur Toll Plaza to increase the state revenue.
Mr. Kichloo demanded to make Economic Survey Report public.Asking to carry forward the comprehensive plan for the casual labors formulated by the previous Government, Mr. Kichloo urged to expedite its work on various power projects to increase the revenue to the state. It will address the unemployment issue to a large extent, he said. Naresh Kumar Gupta said Government needs to address the rehabilitation issue of Baglihar Hydroelectric Power -Project affectees.Demanding for the repairing of roads in Chenab valley, restoration of the defunct power project Baderwah, an air ambulance and a Forest College for district Doda, Mr. Gupta also requested to revise the wages for mid-meal workers, ASHAs, and related people in Government schools.He asked Government to develop an industrial policy that will enhance the job prospects of state youth as a small number of state subjects are hired by these private companies and industries established in the state.
He also asked for immediate release of MLCs Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Mr. Ramesh Arora said that the budget is a tribute to Mufti sahib’s vision of state round development.Terming the budget as a tool to provide a corruption free system, Mr. Arora said that streamlining of provident fund has made the life of employee very easy.Appreciating the funds allotted to police stations, Mr. Arora said more needs to be spent for their welfare, and asked to address the causal labor issue in a sympathetic manner as it.Mr. Arora also welcomed the Government’s step to starting separate buses for women, waiving off school fee to the girls up to higher secondary level, and 30 units free power to BPL families in the state.While demanding to expedite the work on various heritage projects, Mr. Arora also asked for waiving of VAT as a good will gesture for the ex-servicemen and remove taxes on mobile phones.