R.B SURI
An Innovative idea indeed for the economic betterment of Jammu and Kashmir as also for revenue realization beyond expectations and minimizing the element of breeding of corruption at the Plaza. Such like things always come in the minds of those who have the economic sense and requisite ability in the economic field. It is a thinking of the present Finance Minister Dr.Hasseb Drabu yet. If implemented in the right earnest, the State would be benefitted a lot. New wisdom of course indeed. We should come out of the old traditions and adopt the new methods and technology in our system and procedures thereby making the required amendments in the same so as to get the maximum return out of it in the very interests of the society as a whole. If the statutory authorities at the helm of affairs in the Government set up agree in principle of outsourcing, the Finance Minister Dr. Drabu is under obligation to get this through in the State Cabinet. By keeping Haseeb Drabu as the Finance Minister of J and K, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Chief Minister J and K has done a very good thing in accepting the Principle of “Right job is meant for the Right person and the Right person is meant for the Right job.” He is an innovative person and is well acquainted with the fiscal affairs of the global economy. He is a straight forward and methodical person of high integrity in the monetary affairs of the state. He presented budget of the State for the 2015-16 in the J and K Legislative Assembly in a decent way. The Coalition Government of PDP and BJP is in place since 1st March in J and K and functioning smoothly as is evident from the fact that it has successfully convened a Budget Session of the J and K Legislative Assembly and the Council as well.
After a long spell, J and K State is lucky to have a Finance Minister having the rich experience in the economic field of the global economy as such whatever Drabu will do to the best of his ability for the economic betterment of J and K will be appreciated by the people of the state.
Lakhanpur History
Bridge over the River Ravi segregates Jammu and Kashmir state from Panjab. On that side Madhopur (Panjab) is situated just less than a kilometer distance and on this side our Lakhanpur (J and K) is situated. It has a history behind it. Prior to 1953, there were many restrictions from the state Government of Jammu and Kashmir with regard to the movement of Individuals / Indian citizens from the rest of India as also for transportation of goods and materials into the state. Pertinent to mention here that for making an entry into the J and K State one from the rest of India was requiring a valid ‘Permit’ issued by the competent authority. Feeling disturbed over the “Permit System”, the founder of the Jan Sangh, Dr. Shayma Parshad Mukherjee took the bold initiative and made entry into J and K state on 11th May, 1953 thereby breaking all the Laws in force at that time and was arrested at Lakhanpur itself. At that time the state was being governed by the then Prime Minster of J and K Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. Under the orders of Sheikh Abdullah, he was shifted to Srinagar Jail where later he died in Jail at Srinagar on 23rd June 1953 under the mysterious conditions and that his death at Srinagar is still under the question mark.
Present Scenario , Revenue Realization and Exemptions.
Lakhanpur is the main entrance to our state lawfully .In accordance with the law, in force at the moment, every vehicle whether light or heavy, loaded or empty entering or going out of the state has to pay the Toll at this point barring few exemptions where the Toll is exempted under different SROs. For the realisation of the Toll at the entrance point itself, the J and K Government has set up a Toll Plaza under the administrative control of the Deputy Excise Commissioner, Lakhanpur for the collection of Toll Tax. Additional Toll is levied on weight and Advelorum Tax is charged on value of goods and the basic Toll is charged on vehicles weather heavy or light in nature.
Revenue Realisation.
Given below are the tabulated figures which depict the data of revenue generated pertaining to the last ten years (Rs. in crores) :
Year Revenue Realised
2005-06 173.50
2006-07 178.83
2007-08 206.60
2008-09 188.63
2009-10 208.92
2010-11 249.82
2011-12 306.23
2012-13 356.11
2013-14 404.76
2014-15 415. 61
From the data discussed as above, it reveals that the revenue realization has been done to the order of a meager i.e. just two and half times in a span of ten years or so which is not considered to be the good performance of those who remained at the helm of affairs at the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza during the intervening period. Exemptions: In the preceding lines, there comes a reference of the exemptions granted by the State Government under SROs from time to time in order to give boost to the corporate who are desirous of starting their ventures in our state on the manufacturing sector as they will also provide employment to local youth both skilled and unskilled as well. Exemptions are granted to certain types of goods meant for export and import as per the specified instructions from the government in the shape of SROs especially under the clear cut policy to promote the industrial activities encouraging the manufacturing of goods in the J and K state. On completion of certain formalities, the exemptions can be granted. When these formalities are completed in all aspects , the firm can avail the exemption. In case of light motor vehicles, the exemption is only given, if the owner of the vehicle is residing within the radius of 15 Kms from the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza.
Caution: A well drafted MOU between the State Government and the Organisation to whom the job would be entrusted after outsourcing the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza be prepared incorporating the provision with regard to the penalty to be imposed on it if it will leave the job half way. 100 per cent Bank surety be taken for the contracted amount.
Exercising of Control
For exercising of the control and assess on the organisation to whom Lakhanpur Toll Plaza has been outsourced, a committee should be in place headed by the Deputy Chief Minister to administer and monitor the system of outsourcing from time to time in the currency of the contract. Deputy Chief Minister should be assisted by the Chief secretary, 2 Financial Commissioner and one Principal secretary as Member secretary of the said committee. I am of the opinion that if the captioned system of outsourcing is adopted by the State Government, it should be initially for one year at the first instance and after having taking a review in the 11th month of the contract period, the system be reviewed and grant renewal for the next year.
