In an apparent attempt to please the residents, traders, and even colonisers, Punjab Cabinet on Monday took slew of decisions, including reduction in property tax, rationalising value added tax, a year suspension of legal proceedings against unauthorised colonies under the new Act, among others.
The decisions are being seen as an effort by the SAD-led State Government just not only to please different sections of society before Parliamentary elections, but also as a balancing act with its coalition partner, the BJP.
Most of the issues favourably decided by the Cabinet were the ones raised by those affected and supported by the BJP. Interestingly, the decisions were taken a day after it became apparent that SAD was working out modalities to part ways with BJP while fielding its candidates ‘independently’ for Delhi Assembly polls on 12 seats.
Reducing rates of property tax
Giving its approval to replace ordinances by bills for its conversion into Acts regarding the Punjab Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2013, and Punjab Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013, in the coming Assembly session, Cabinet provided a major relief to residents by reducing rates of property tax and introducing the system
of self-assessment.
Suspend legal proceedings
Cabinet also decided to apply brakes to legal proceedings against unauthorised colonies that could be suspended for one year during operation of the Act, to be tabled in the ensuing Assembly session.
For the purpose, Cabinet approved conversion of Punjab laws (Special Provisions) Amendment Ordinance, 2013, into Bill for its enactment. Under this, legal proceedings against unauthorised colonies could be suspended for one year during the operation of the Act, but prosecution proceedings would continue after expiration of the same if the coloniser fails to get offence compounded.
little relief under advance tax
In addition, the Cabinet gave approval for amending various provisions of Punjab VAT Act, 2005, making it far more dealer or trader friendly. It also decided to remove bottlenecks in the implementation of newly introduced advance tax by exempting exporters of manufacture goods out of imported raw material and abolishing Section 13 (1-A), which treats advance tax as ITC whereas it should not be so.
Regulatory body to regulate fees
In a bid to rationalise and regulate fee structure in unaided educational institutions across the State, Cabinet approved setting up of a regulatory body that “will prevent these private institutions from charging excessive fees from students arbitrarily”.
Approves 665 teaching posts
Cabinet also decided to create 665 posts of teaching faculty in Government Medical College and Hospitals of Patiala and Amritsar.
Besides, nod was given to enhance number of posts of medical teachers along with creation of new posts of various cadres in these institutions. “The decision will also take care of future enhancements of seats in medical colleges. These newly created posts would be filled within next three years in order to give boost to medical education and research,” the spokesman said.
Central Cooperative Banks
With a view to imbibe professional temper in functioning of Central Cooperative Banks, Cabinet gave nod to replace ordinance with a bill for amending Section 26 (2) (a) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, in the Assembly session enabling appointment of its managing directors from amongst banking sector experts.