#Budget 2016-17: Kashmir Trade to Shut on Saturday; says, ‘It is More of Rhetoric’

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Kashmir trader on Wednesday termed the 2016-17 JK Budget presented by FinMin Economist Dr Haseeb A Drabu as “more on rhetoric and less on content”.

A statement issued by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) this afternoon said that a joint meeting of KCC&I, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) was held today to discuss the 2016-17 State budget.

“The budget has been found to be more of rhetoric and less on content, more-so, in the background of the devastation caused by the 2014 floods which caused unprecedented damage to people at large in general and trade, commerce and Industry in particular,” the statement alleged.

It said that the Finance minister has shown “mercilessness” in so far as the following business activities and common interest is concerned:

1. Increase from 5% to 14 ½ % in Schedule D–I as against the demand for tax holiday for next 5 years. Since most of the products under the schedule like readymade garments, mobile phones, frozen food items etc. are consumer goods it will affect adversely both the business and the people in general.
2. Entertainment duty of Rs 50/- per connection on satellite and cable TV which will directly affect the common man.
3. No exemption of tax, for Walnut wood carving products has been given to help promote the handicraft.
4. Long demanded tax exemption has not been given on handicraft made-up products like bags cushion covers etc.
5. Increase of 5% tax on ATF will impact already irrationally applied air fares to Jammu- Srinagar  air routes and will in turn affect badly the local and tourist travel.
6. Long pending demand for Artisan Credit Card Scheme sought to be brought at par with the Kisan Credit Card Scheme has been ignored  in the budget which is causing liquidity crunch for the artisans who are otherwise contributing in  big way to this export business of the state and foreign exchange earning of the country.
7. Nothing specific from the state has been provided to compensate/provide relief to the flood victims, business or common man leaving them to suffer indefinitely.
8. Removal of negative list of items being manufactured by local industries has not been addressed.
9. Waiver of interest /surcharge from power dues has not been taken in to consideration.
10. Waiver of penalties in the matter of defaults in commercial tax too has not been given any consideration.

“The trade bodies have decided and urge the business establishments to down their shutters on Saturday the 4th of June 2016 and close the establishments in protest against the budget proposals in case it fails to roll back the taxes as pointed above and address the concerns,” the statement said.

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Assembly: More AP Posts Vacant in Kashmir Colleges, So Are 10+2 Lecturer Posts

Heena Muzzafar

SRINAGAR

Unemployed youths waiting in queue to submit their government employment forms.
(KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

J&K Government on Wednesday disclosed that the number of vacancies for Assistant Professors and 10+2 Lecturers in state is 4939.

In a written reply in upper house of J&K legislature, the minister for education said that Kashmir Division has 1437 AP vacancies while 877 AP posts are vacant in Jammu. However, it has sent around 1651 posts of Assistant Professor posts to Public Service Commission (PSC) for filling up. He was responding to a question by Ch Mohammad Akram.

The government informed that include 8 AP posts each in Kashmiri and Persian; 01 in Electronics; 12 in Islamic Studies and 09 in Dogri have been filled, so far.

In 10+2 lecturer category, the government said that the number of vacant posts vacant in districts are: 311 in Islamabad; 181 in Baramulla; 103 each in Budgam and Bandipora; 57 in Ganderbal 314 in Kupwara; 132 in Kulgam; 110 in Pulwama; 28 in Srinagar and 41 in Shopian.

Similarly, In Jammu division, the vacancies in districts are: 34 in Jammu; 287 in Doda; 111 in Kathua; 98 in Kishtwar; 81 in Poonch; 178 in Rajouri; 137 in Udhampur; 86 in Ramban; 14 in Samba; and 148 in Reasi. Besides, 50 and 21 posts are vacant in Kargil and Leh districts, respectively.

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GDC Uri Held Annual Road Race

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Government Degree College, Uri Wednesday organized the Annual Road Race.

Covering a distance of almost 10 KM’s, the race started from the gate of from Rajerwani near Uri I power project to main market, Uri.

Rameez Ahmed Mughal, a student of BA third year secured the first position.

Sub-district hospital Uri and the local police helped the event to be a success, the organizers said.

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CET 2016: Candidates To Apply Afresh, Exam on July 31

KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR

All the candidates who had applied previously for JKCET need to apply afresh for the test. Authorities at the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) will be conducting new entrance for the courses of MBBS and BDS on July 31.

“Everything needs to be done afresh, including getting registered. All the candidates interested in appearing in MBBS and BDS entrance are requested to re-register once the forms are out,” an official.

He said that the tentative date of exams has been fixed as July 31st, 2016. “The application forms will be available by Tuesday.”

He informed that the examination would be conducted in a single day. “In the forenoon session exams for Physics and Chemistry will be conducted while as Biology will be slated for the afternoon session,” he further added, “the syllabus and pattern of exam remains unchanged.”

Applications will be entirely online and available for a period of 10 days. “We will have to fast-track the whole process so that students don’t suffer due to unnecessary wastage of time,” he said.

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Assembly: Hurt Gupta Criticises His Former Senior FinMin’s Budget

Riyaz Ul Khaliq

SRINAGAR

Pawan Kumar Gupta

Accusing Government of “misleading” the house, former MoS Finance and Udhampur lawmaker, Pawan Gupta Wednesday asked Finance Ministry why it hasn’t published the economic survey.

Participating in the discussion of J&K 2016-17 Budget which was presented in the state legislature on May 30, Pawan Gupta said, “because the health of J&K economy is in bad condition, the government is scared of publishing the economic survey.”

He said that the economist FinMin, Dr Haseeb Drabu has “failed to unfold vision regarding development of state”.

“It is jugglery of words,” he told the house asking Speaker why FinMin and Commissioner Secretary Finance are missing in the house.

To this MoS Finance gestured that he is present and noting the concerns raised by him. “If you can understand what I am asking, then answer me,” Gupta replied to MoS Finance, Ajay Nanda.

Reminding the government of Rs 3000 Cr fiscal deficit in state budget, he said, “it is alarming but there is no mention of the same in the budget.”

“I was MoS in last government headed by Late Mufti, and everybody of us knew it and it is not like they don’t know it now,” Pawan said. “The FinMin has kept quiet. Why? Will he answer me? No.”

Hurt, Pawan Gupta added that the FinMin Dr Drabu has talked about 1000 Cr additional mobilisation of resources. “But from where is Drabu going to arrange Rs 1k Cr?” he asked. “The only way out is taxes. Do you want to increase taxes? You are putting burden on the common man.”

On power, he said that state generates a revenue of only Rs 1900 crore from the sector. “But FinMin has lied that J&K has revenue of Rs 3500 Cr income.” “If my claims turn out to be wrong,” he told the house, “I will retire from the house.”

FinMin Dr Drabu prior to his Budget 2016-17 speech. (Photo: Bilal Bahadur/KL)

On increase of taxes on aviation, he said it will dent the tourism sector. “The FinMin has given flip to inflation tendencies,” he alleged.

On General Sales Taxes (GST), Pawan said, “the FinMin is confused.” “Will he go for GST?” he asked the treasury benches, “BJP will have to clear its position on the issue.”

On the initiatives taken on women front, he said that government has forgotten widows. “In the praise of CM, anyone can do anything,” he said, “what have you thought about widows? Of those whose husbands have been killed? Don’t they come under gender?”

Further, he said that PSUs of J&K have not done audits of their accounts since 1995.

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Rasheed on way to Islamabad to file Nomination Papers

KL NEWS NETWORK
Srinagar

Er Rasheed

Independent legislator and Awami Ittehad Party chief, Shiekh Er Abdul Rasheed is on way to Islamabad to file nomination papers for the by-polls to the assembly segment scheduled later this month.

Rasheed will be contesting against PDP president and CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti. Rasheed is a sitting lawmaker and represents Langate assembly constituency in the state assembly.

Earlier today, CM Mehbooba also reached Islamabad to file her nomination papers.

CM Ms Mehbooba is a sitting Lok Sabha lawmaker from South Kashmir.

The Islamabad assembly seat fell vacant after the demise of former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 07, 2016.

The by-elections are scheduled for June 19. National Conference has nominated Iftikhar Misger, a businessman while Hilal Shah will contest on Congress ticket.

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Kupwara Village Without Electricity

KL NEWS NETWORK
Srinagar

Dodhwan village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is without electricty for over 15 days now. The residents said that their receiving station encountered some fault earlier this month and since then it has not been repaired.

Muhammad Shahid, a resident said, “The studies of our children is suffering due to the non-availability of electricity in the village.”

The locals alleged that the authorities are unmoved. “We contacted them several times but they do not pay heed to our concerns.”

The village comprises of 25 families.

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