Raje government abolishes hosue tax, increases DA

Jaipur, Jan 25 (UNI) Keeping an eye on the Assembly elections in the state two years from now, the Vasundhara Raje government announced the abolishtion of the house tax and declared an additional dearness allowance of 5 per cent to the government employees and pensioners.

The sops to the 7 lakh-strong government employees and pensioners alone would cost an additional burden of Rs 610 crore annually to the state exchequer.

The state cabinet meeting held for the first time under the chaimanship of Chief Minister Vasundhara Rajein Kota yesterday, fulfilled an election promise, which made by the BJP during the last Assembly elections.

Parliametary Affairs Minister Rajendra Singh Rathore said, ''the government has accepted the demand of the employees for the merger of the 11 per cent existing Dearness Allowance (DA) with the basic salary.'' The additional DA of 5 per cent to the government employees and pensioners would be given from July 1, 2006, he said.

The cabinet has also approved setting up of a joint venture project of Japanese Honda Motors and CL India Ltd at Khushkhera in Alwer district with an estimated investment of Rs 2000 crore.

The project is expected to generate employment opportunities for 5000 people.

UNI