J&K State BJP Spokesperson, Prof. Virender Gupta welcomed the budget proposals in particular waiving off the fee for girl students in State owned educational institutions up to 10+2 level, reserving 10 percent area in all industrial estates of the State for women entrepreneur, establishing four women police stations, creating a corpus fund of Rs 2 crore for the welfare of the journalists, 30 units free power for BPL families, 80 crore for distributing 5 LED lamps to each registered consumer, investing in small hydroelectric projects and streamlining the power distribution system. He was critical of the Congress and NC leaders criticizing the budget proposals and terming it as vision less and directionless, whereas during their rein they made the State bankrupt and looted the State exchequer with open hands, thereby hampered the development activities in the state.
However, Prof. Virender asked the State government to roll back the anti-people provisions in the budget like imposing monthly tax of Rs 50 on each cable network connection, increasing VAT from 13.5 to 14.5 percent on eatable product of common masses like Lassi, Butter Milk, Separated Milk, Flavoured Milk, Rusks, packed frozen food, juices and ready to serve food; Mobile phones, readymade garments and hosiery goods.
Prof. Virender also asked the government to address the sensitive issue while revoking the tax on helicopter service to Vaishno Devi Yatries to respect the religions sentiments of Hindu population. The spokesperson demanded that issues of business community as projected by Chamber of Commerce & Industries, Jammu, like Rationalization of taxes, simplification of Tax structure and making comprehensive industrial policy need to be incorporated in the State Budget. He also asked for making the compensation to people of Jammu region, who had suffered during 2014 floods.
