STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: MLA Udhampur, Pawan Gupta put forth chain of suggestive measures to the Finance Minister and advised to take a call for bailing out the State from its worsened economy.
Taking part in debate on the demand of Finance Department as well as the Labour and Employment Department on the floor of the House, Pawan termed PDD a big hole to drain out the state economy with 60 per cent Transmission and Distribution losses against prevailing in other States across the country well controlled by 15 per cent only.
Besides containing avoidable interest burden of 12 per cent per annum by resorting to further Power Bond Scheme and tightening the PDD machinery, he also demanded for providing additional funds under National Rural Drinking Water Programme responsible to provide potable water to 90 lakh souls of rural areas of the State, restoration of e-tendering system for works above Rs 1 lakh except PDD and PHE Department, boost for the consumption growth of all goods by creating independent tourist destinations, utilisation of corporate funds for the victims of drug addicts out of excise duty collections by way of establishing Dedication Centres and Hospitals in J&K, putting riders on diversion of funds with special reference to CAMPA Funds diverted for purchase of vehicles and earth work cutting worth Rs 1.76 crore as figured in section of press, roll back of amnesty scheme of sale tax, assessment of DPRs projected costs and check on fictitious charged measurements especially in Engineering and Forest Departments, establishments of alternate despite Redressal Tribunal, compensating Udhampur District in lieu of backward area development plan and border area schemes, establishment of cultural activity centre and auditorium for Udhampur, formulation of policy for regularisation of 61,000 daily wagers/casual/ need-based workers in phased manner, and revision/replacement of outdated Labour laws.
In case of demand of Social Welfare Department, Gupta, while congratulating Minister for enhancing handicap, old-age and widow pensions to Rs 1,000, demanded for early clearance of pending pension and implementation of Aasra Scheme and extension of benefits of Ladli Beti Scheme to all districts.
