Advisor to Governor, Kewal Kumar Sharma today held Pre-Budget consultation meetings with several Trade, Industries and related associations in Jammu here at Excise and Taxation Complex, Rail Head.During the series of consultation meetings with representations of various business and trade associations and other stakeholders, the Advisor sought suggestions and proposals that may be required to be incorporated in the upcoming Budget. The Advisor said that the main objective of conducting such meeting is to receive vital inputs, suggestions and to know the expectations of the stakeholders from the budget.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Finance, Navin K Choudhary, Excise Commissioner, Talat Parvez Rohella, Commissioner State Taxes, P K Bhat, Additional Commissioner, State Taxes, Mohd Shahid Saleem Dar besides senior functionaries of concerned departments.Various suggestions were received from representatives of Federation of Industries Jammu, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber of Trader Federation, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association and Jammu Hotel Restaurant and Bar Association.The representatives of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu led by its Chairman, Jammu Region Committee, Vikrant Kuthiala advocated for rationalization of GST rates, re-imbursement of GST on pattern of industries, promotion of tourism, simplification of GST rules, besides demanded for regularization of real estate and promoting religious tourism.Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) highlighted demands related to extension of budgetary support, refund of GST, toll tax, incentive benefits to tourism sector at par with industry sector, skill development, funds to develop dry ports besides strengthening the road connectivity to Industrial areas.
The representatives of Chamber of Traders Federation advocated for trade policy, rationalizing GST rates on various items falling under similar category besides highlighted the issues faced by LOC traders. Responding to their suggestion for opening dedicating centers to file GST returns in various locations across the state, the Advisor asked the Principal Secretary Finance to roll out the process for establishing such centers.Federation of Industries Jammu led by their Chairman, Lalit Mahajan highlighted issues related to present State Fiscal Incentives for Micro and Small Scale Sector of the state, freight subsidy, GST refund claims, Power Amnesty, reimbursement incentives of State Budgetary support, Toll Tax, Industrial units engaged in the manufacturing of cement , bricks and cement tiles, self-certification mechanism for annual assessment of raw material ,finished goods for toll tax, negative list,e-way bill for intra-state movement of industrial goods, toll tax on the import of packaging material for outside the state, toll tax on export of raw material /scrap meant for MSME units available in the state, State Fiscal incentives to new units under substantial expansion, toll tax on raw material of exportable items, and many alike.To increase the tourist footfall in Jammu region, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association requested for separate fund for publicity of Jammu tourism, development of various tourist destinations including Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex, border tourism, mono rail project, Jammu, Tawi bank, water cum amusement part Bhour camp, wild life sanctuary and alike.Jammu Hotel Restaurant and Bar Association requested for incentive package of tourism, reduction of license fee besides Power subsidy.The Advisor assured the delegation that the suggestions as discussed would receive due consideration while formulating the budget proposals of the state for the year 2019-20. The Advisor asked the Industrial delegations to consider the suggestion of holding campus selections and industrial trainings to ITI students to generate local skilled employment.