Jammu, Mar 15: Mubarak Gul while hailing the Budget said that agriculture, horticulture and tourism have been given thrust, keeping in view the important role, these sectors, have in as these are economic backbone of the State Agrarian Economy. He said agriculture sector involves about 80 per cent population of the State. He hailed the proposal for subsidizing agriculture implements.
 He said that the Government has initiated various steps to provide employment to the educated youth of the State and employment fairs are being organized in every district headquarter of the State.
 M Y Tarigami, while participating in the budget discussion, termed the budget as routine one adding that there should have some direction towards ailing economy of the State. He said the budget should have envisaged the vision for economic growth and development of the State. He said that States contribution in the national economy is lowest.
 He stressed for subsidizing fertilizers to ensure better agriculture production as it would benefit the farmers community directly. He said the allocation for agriculture sector in the budget shall be enhanced for proper implementation of Technology Mission Programme. He also stressed for revival of Handicrafts industry as about 3 lakh families are dependent on the industry.
 Nizam-u-Din Bhat opinioned that the budget shall address the burning issues of the State. He said that the budget should be more about the economic emancipation than the politics adding that it should ensure tax relief, more spendings on power and consolidation of monitory management. He said that efforts should have been made to clear power deficit and added that the issues related common man should have been depicted properly in the budget.
 Terming the budget as women and traders friendly,   Ashok Kumar lauded the discussion for 25 per cent concession in stamp duty on purchase of land for fair sex. He appreciated the creation of management fund for cancer patients and added that the next of kins of cancer patient shall be rehabilitated under the scheme.
 Stressing for awareness among people about judicious use of power, he appreciated the decision for the allocation of Rs 20 crore for Transformer Banks in the State. He said that to improve the living condition of the people, the cluster type villages should be considered under NREGA. He also advocated for providing financial assistance to orphans and old age persons.
 Lal Chand, while participating in the discussion said that no effort has been made to mobilize the internal resources of the State. He said that Agri-Technocrats who can guide the farmer community for harvesting better crops have been neglected in the budget. He said that there is no provision for connectivity of Bani-Basohli and erstwhile Doda district. He said that steps should have been taken to exploit the Gypsum resources for the prosperity of people of the area.
 Ashwani Kumar Sharma, said that the budget lacks any provision for road connectivity to Katra-Shivkhori, Chenani-Sudmahadev and Patnitop-Sanasar for popularizing pilgrim tourism. He said that the budget has no provision for preservation of water bodies, rehabilitation of refugees and delimitation commission.
 Hakim Muhammad Yasin said that the budget should be properly utilized for the creation of basic facilities and development of the State without indulging in regional politics. Keeping in view, the importance of power sector and the resources available in the State, he advocated for separate budget for power sector. He stressed for utilizing the available resources properly to usher era of growth, development and prosperity in the State.
 Radhey Sham Sharma said that for the first time incentives have been given to farmers and traders in the budget by providing tax free agriculture implements, pesticides and weed-cides. Highlighting the creation of more Anganwari centres in the uncovered areas, he also appreciated the enhancement of monthly honorarium to Anganwari workers and helpers. He advocated consideration of 8th standard students for seeking benefits under the new employment policy. He demanded rail connectivity between Jammu-Poonch and establishment of Central University Campus at Sunderbani.
 Indu Pawar described the budget as people friendly, as it has addressed the needs of common man. She welcomed the steps taken for the empowerment of women by reducing stamp duty on purchase of land and budgetary allocation for Women Development Corporation. She lauded the concept of good governance and urged for involving the services of local agencies in monitoring. She also emphasised for computerization of all the departments to curtail corruption and provide transparency.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST