Rather says govt, don't create confusion over amnesty

Jammu, Jan 19 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister and leader of opposition Abdul Rahim Rather today asked the state government not to create confusion over proposed amnesty scheme in its zero deficit budget from 2007-08 financial year.

Talking to media persons in Legislative Assembly premises the senior National Conference leader said, we have already said this budget is totally 'presumptuous' and 'unrealistic' but the finance minister is not ready to accept.

''We are just trying to convince the government in general and finance minister in particular about mistakes and confusion so that it could rectify the faults.'' he added.

Underlining the proposed amnesty scheme, Mr Rather said in the pre-budget economic survey it has clearly mentioned the time for giving amnesty has gone but in the budget he granted the same for trade and industry and even categorically stated that this would be the last opportunity for the scheme.

''It is very confusing and it seems that there is pressure on the Coalition government to give amnesty. Actually extending amnesty was a disincentive to those paying taxes besides contradiction in government's statements,'' he said.

The Opposition leader said the Finance Minister has inflated the figures with regard to expected receipts and expenditure for next fiscal and projected that receipts will increase and expenditure will decrease.

Mr Rather said we were expecting the Finance Minister would project the true picture of the state's economy and suggest measures to provide relief to the people from the problems being faced due to financial mismanagement.

''The increase in the non-productive expenditure would hamper growth and budget should have been based on the realistic economic situation of the state,'' he added.

UNI