Staff Reporter, Bhopal Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Raghavji today said despite the ongoing global recession, the government presented a development-oriented Budget. “The global economic scenario impacted adversely on countries, including India and the state’s economy is not untouched by its shadow.
Yet, the regime presented a revenue surplus Budget for the tenth successive time and this year it is Rs 5,214.83 crore. Moreover, no tax was imposed on essential commodities thereby providing succour to the common man,” he said while replying to a three-day general discussion on the Budget. Entry tax was reduced by 2 per cent on cooking gas, which would help housewives, while tax was imposed on liquor. Terming providing of jobs to unemployed youth as a challenge, the Minister said the Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana was introduced for them.
Five per cent interest subsidy would be provided under the scheme. Several steps were initiated for skill development. Many awards were introduced for encouraging organic farming and entrepreneurs of small and medium industries, while long-term plans were chalked out to boost the agriculture sector in general and organic farming in particular. Mentioning the Centre’s proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST), Mr Raghavji said, “It will disintegrate the federal structure if passed in the present form. States’ fiscal autonomy should be maintained and a debate must take place prior to implementing GST.”
