Jammu, Jan 21: Finance Minister A R Rather said the basic objective behind holding pre-budget discussions with cross-section of people including trade and industry was to involve them in formulating a people-friendly vision document.
 The FM said holding such meetings served twin purposes: having an insight into the viewpoint of the stakeholders, their genuine feeling and problems, and improving the shortcomings, if any at the administrative level.
 Interacting with the representatives of various trade and industrial organizations of Jammu at a pre-budget discussion here today, Rather said these interactions with the stakeholders enable “us to jointly think about progress of our economy and how to strengthen it further within the available resources.”
 He said useful, beneficial and realistic suggestions at the pre-budget sessions would be considered on merits while preparing the next year’s annual budget.
 After a series of meetings in the Valley during last three days, Rather today met Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu, Industrial Associations Samba, Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Digiana, Birpur and Kathua. 
 Economic Advisor to J&K Jalil Ahmad Khan, Commissioner/Secretary Finance, Sudhanshu Panday, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Bashir Ahmed Khawaja, Excise Commissioner, Pardeep Gupta and representative of Trade and Industry, were present in the meeting.
 A series of such pre-budget meetings just concluded in Kashmir division where stakeholders put forth their view point for making the next budget pro-people and result oriented.
 These meetings were held in most cordial and congenial atmosphere and Rather assured that all suggestions of the Chamber would be given serious consideration, while formulating the Budget for larger public good.
 The President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Y.V. Sharma, presented a detailed charter of demands and highlighted various issues pertaining to the Trade and Industry.
 Responding favourably to the demands, the Finance Minister said “I am myself convinced that industrialization is key to employment”. He said “during the recently held meeting of the State Finance Ministers, at New Delhi with Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mikharjee, I vehemently and emphatically sought extension of the Industrial Package for North East States for next 10 years, as the package had been withdrawn before its due date”.
 The Finance Minister assured that no unnecessary harassment to any trader or citizen shall be allowed by any Government official or agency and promised that anybody found indulging in such practices shall be severely dealt with.   He also sought cooperation of the traders in identifying   erring officials, if any, and asked for brining   authentic complaints for initiating action under law. He said that as per the previous commitment made in last year’s Budget, the Government has already undertaken an ambitious project for computerization of Commercial Taxes Department which is expected to facilitate and streamline the functioning of the Commercial Taxes Department to the advantage of traders and businessmen. “We are endeavouring to implement e-filing of returns very soon”, the Finance Minister reiterated, adding that it would help in minimizing interface between traders and the officials.
 Rather also informed that following continuous efforts of the Finance Department pendency of bills in the treasuries has been reduced to nearly nil at present. He further hoped that despite limitation of internal resources and increase in wage bill, efforts would be made to ensure that business, trade and industry is not allowed to suffer in any way.
 Rathar assured the industrialists that their burning demand regarding un-interrupted power supply to the Industrial units would be taken at highest level and every possible effort would be made to minimize their problems and difficulties.
 Later, talking to some electronic media persons, Rathar said that Elaqai- Dehati Bank has been directed to provide Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to the farmers in each district under its jurisdiction to enable them avail hassle free lending facilities for boosting agriculture productivity. He said, the Bank in the first phase, have issued about sixty thousand KCCs among the farmers with the target to provide a loan assistance of Rs 35 crore.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST