The Haryana Government on Thursday took a slew of decisions including introduction of a scheme to facilitate recovery of tax from builders and writing off Rs 84.39 lakh of electricity duty on three firms.
The State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar also gave ex-post-facto approval to a Commission inquiring into the Jat quota stir.
The Cabinet approved the proposal of the Power Department to write off the outstanding total amount of Rs 84,39,119 of electricity duty of three firms namely Competent Alloys, Ballabgarh, Dalmia Dadri Cement Factory, Dadri and Rama Fibres ltd., Bhiwani.
This outstanding amount could not be recovered despite best efforts of the DHBVN and the amount of electricity bills against these firms was declared as ‘bad debt’ by the Nigam. Therefore, it was decided to write off this amount, said an official spokesman.
In order to facilitate hassle-free and timely recovery of tax from developers and builders for the period prior to April 1, 2014, the Government has also introduced Haryana Alternative Tax (HAT) Compliance Scheme for Contractors, 2016.
The spokesman said that this scheme will enable the government to quickly recover tax for the period prior to April 1, 2014 which is withheld in litigation and also, benefit the customers as the scheme will provide finality and remove the uncertainty about the payable tax.
Haryana already has an existing scheme for builders and developers under which a lumpsum tax at a rate of 1.05 per cent is payable for the period April 1, 2014 onwards. Now, with the introduction of this scheme, a simplified tax at a rate of 1.05 per cent shall be applicable for the period prior to April 1, 2014 also, said he.
As per the scheme, a contractor may exercise his option to apply within 90 days from the date of the notification of the scheme. He shall pay 25 per cent of the total tax payable under the scheme along with the application, and the remaining 75 per cent shall be paid in three equal quarterly instalments.
In another decision, the Cabinet also gave its ex-post-facto approval to the appointment of a two-member Commission to inquire into the sequence of events leading to and relating to the occurrence of violence during the February Jat stir. While Justice (retd.) SN Jha is the chairman of the Commission, former IPS officer NC Padhi, is the other member.
While giving a major relief to the cancer patients in the state, the State Government has decided to exempt ‘Technetium 99M Generators used for diagnosis of cancer’ from levy of VAT. Technetium 99M Generator is a radioactive substance which is used for diagnosis of cancer. This decision will facilitate cheap and affordable diagnosis of cancer, said the spokesman.
Haryana Cabinet also approved establishment of ‘Haryana Vimukt Ghumantu Jati Vikas Board’ to improve the educational and economic status of Nomadic, Vimukt (Denotified Tribes) and Tapriwas. The Board shall consist of 11 members including the Chairperson, who would be appointed by the government from amongst persons of repute, ability and having knowledge of these castes.