Mixed reactions came from the industries bodies of the State over the Madhya Pradesh Budget 2015-16 presented in the State Assembly on Wednesday by Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya.
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) lauded the Budget while Federation of Madhya Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FMPCCI) termed it as anti-people.
ASSOCHAM lauded the State Government for presenting a measured budget which is likely to spur job creation, promote infrastructure development on public-private partnership (PPP) mode and enhance agriculture sector performance.
ASSOCHAM national secretary general DS Rawat while welcoming the budget said, “Focus on road network development across the State in the Budget shows that MP Government is on the right track.”
Rawat further said, “Strong road network across MP is a must to facilitate better goods distribution, promote market development, provide farmers an incentive to generate more marketable surplus, deliver agriculture inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, seeds and others to improve production and productivity.”
FMPCCI president RS Goswami said, “Different sections of society have their own expectations from the budget. As far as general people are concerned the budget is disappointing for them. There is nothing sort of immediate relief for them. This budget would also shatter the common man”s dream of making his house.”
Goswami further said that as far as business community is concerned the decision to withdraw Vat from 40 items is a welcome decision but it would have to be seen that which items are they.
Expressing disappointment over levy of one percent tax on soy meal, de-oiled cake in the state budget the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) has urged the state government to reconsider the decision to levy tax on soybean meal/de-oiled cake and bring it back to zero and also remove Mandi fee and entry tax on soybean, in the larger interest of the farmers and the agro economy of the state.
SOPA chairman Davis Jain in his statement from Indore said that neighboring state of Maharashtra has no tax on soy meal/De-oiled cake. Under the circumstances, units in MP will become noncompetitive in comparison.
Soybean is an industrial crop and the additional taxation will ultimately hurt the interest of lakhs of farmers who depend on soybean crop in Kharif for their economic well-being, Jain said adding that the Association has already requested the government to exempt the soybean industry from Mandi fee and entry tax on soybean.