Haryana wants the Central Government to exempt Urban Development Authority from the provisions of Income Tax and enhance the capability of the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) to finance infrastructure projects in the NCR.
Speaking in pre-budget consultations meeting of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely with Finance Ministers of States and Union Territories in New Delhi on Saturday, Haryana Finance Minister, Captain Abhimanyu said exemption to Urban Development Authority from the provision of Income Tax would enable it to achieve the objective of house for all, especially for weaker sections of the society.
He said that one of the main objectives of the NCRPB is to develop the infrastructure in the region at par with that of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Although, nearly 50 per cent area of NCR falls in Haryana, the financial assistance by way of loans to Haryana by the NCR Planning Board has declined from
`567.34 crore in 2010-11 to `186.97 crore in 2014-15. The enhancement in the capability of the Board to finance infrastructure projects in the NCR would enable the States in the NCR to build infrastructure at par with Delhi.
He also sought higher allocation of funds from Central Government and requested for faster implementation of projects of Irrigation, rural development and of Road Transport in the State.
Capt Abhimanyu also drew the attention of the Union Minister towards the agriculture sector saying that 55 per cent of the population depends on agriculture sector but there has not been any substantial increase in their income in last few years. He said although the government of India did extend some financial package to the sugar mills, there is a need for a substantially higher assistance for the sustenance of this sector to ensure remunerative cane prices in the interest of farmers.
The Minister said, “we look upon the Government of India to assist the State for implementing all major projects in the Irrigation Sector. The state of Haryana has not received any benefit under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) since 2008 despite getting approval of some of the projects by the Ministry of Water Resources.” He suggested that for each scheme there should be a single window system in Ministry of Water Resources with a fixed timeframe for scrutiny of the projects submitted by the State Government. Moreover, the Central assistance in AIBP should be increased from 25 per cent to 50 per cent of the total project cost.
Capt. Abhimanyu also urged the Central Government to restore the share of the Government of India under specific social sector initiatives like Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), National Health Mission (NHM).
He said that the GoI has implemented specific social sector initiatives in the education and health sectors and had sponsored the employment of trained professionals. However, the States are now facing several issues relating to the burgeoning wage bills and establishment expenses for these employees.
Drawing the attention of the Union Minister towards unique scheme for the restoration of the mythical Saraswati river flowing in the state as paleo channels in the areas referred to in the Vedic literature, he said the Government has constituted the Saraswati Heritage Development Board under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister with renowned experts in the field as its members. He urged the Union Finance Minister to make a substantial provision for undertaking such projects for restoring the pristine purity of our ancient civilisation.
Capt Abhimanyu also sought higher allocation of funds and faster implementation of projects for construction of road projects of national importance in the State.