J K Assembly passes appropriation bills

Jammu, Feb 6: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today passed appropriation bills providing for authorisation of payment and appropriation of certain amounts from and out of the consolidated funds of state for services for the next fiscal.

The Bill provides for issuance of Rs 673,90,52,000.00 out of the consolidated fund of state for the next financial year towards deferring several charges coming in course of payment during the said year in respect of the services.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill state that it has been introduced in pursuance of sub-sections (I) of section 81 of the constitution of the state to provide for the supplementary appropriation out of the consolidated fund of the state for the sums required to meet the expenditure charged on the consolidated fund and supplementary grants made by the Assembly for the year 2006-07 in respect of the services and purposes specified in the bill.

Another bill, which provides for issuance of Rs 1,71,07,82,10,000.00, passed by the House pertains to withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the consolidated fund of state for the services for financial year 2007-08.

Objects and reasons statement of the bill says that the money required is to meet the expenditure charged on the consolidated fund and the grants made by the lower house for expenditure of the state government for the financial year 2007-08 in respect of the services and purposes specified in the bill.

The Bills were moved for introduction, consideration and passing by the Minister for Finance and Planning Tariq Hameed Karra, who also replied the issues raised by various legislators while taking part in the discussion during passing motion of the Bills.

Mr Karra, replying the points raised by leader of the opposition A R Rather said Charar-i-Sharief project has been launched at a cost of Rs 25.16 crore, envisaging Rs 20 crore loan from HUDCO and Rs 5.16 crore funding from the state.

Finance Minister said the HUDCO backed out from extending loan facility, however, the state government has provided over Rs 13 crore for completion of the project so far. He said alternate arrangement for arranging funds would be made to meet the requirement on this account.

''The Khankah at Charar-i-Sharief is being constructed by the Waqf Board which would be asked to speed up the work. Possibilities of bringing Charar-i-Sharief town under the ambit of small and medium towns development scheme of the Union Government would be explored and forest department asked to look into the reports of soil erosion in the town,'' he said.

The Minister said for development of Yusmarg and Nilnag tourist destinations, Rs 10.37 crores proposal has been submitted to the central government, adding that Rs 50 lakhs have been provided to Yusmarg Development Authority for tourist related infrastructure development.

Referring to the implementation of District Development Board meeting decisions, Mr Karra said this would be looked into and added that a fresh view is needed in this regard.

''For revival of sick industrial units, Rs 40 crore have been earmarked in the next budget. During the next financial year, Rs 129 crore allocation has been made for making Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations self-reliant,'' he said.

The devolution of powers to these corporations is under process.

The House said during next financial year, appropriation of funds be minimised adding that judicious use of funds under every sector would be ensured, the Finance Minister assured.

He, however, said price escalation in the execution of developmental works invites appropriation of funds every year and added that efforts are on for eliminating this practice.

UNI