Budget Session: calm before the storm

Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (UNI) The Budget Session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly began today, with the House paying homage to the departed leaders of the Assembly.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Modhwadia and Speaker Mangaldas Patel sat for a brief period in the House, paying homage to ex-minister Gordhanbhai Shambhubhai Patel, former MP Chimanbhai Purshottamdas Patel, Mumbai Vidhan Sabha member Ramanlal Soni and MLAs Ramnikbhai Dhanjibhai Patel, Bhagwandas K Songara, Haribhai Chhanbhai Patel, Gababhai Somabhai Chauhan and Jayantibhai Maccharna.

The Congress took out a massive rally from Gandhi Ashram to Sachivalaya in the morning, protesting against the price rise and liquor policy.

The Opposition is expected to put the Gujarat government, led by Narendra Modi, on the mat during the five-week- long Budget Session, on the new liquor policy as well as price rise and law and order.

But, the state government is expected to ensure smooth passage of two important bills carrying property tax reforms and establishment of emergency medical services.

The Congress has planned to take out various rallies during the Budget Session for the run-up to the Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in November/December this year.

The state government, besides the passage of Budget, has decided to get the nod from the Assembly on its proposal of fixing property tax in the state on the basis of carpet area of the House.

''If the related bill is approved by the Assembly, the municipalities can fix the property tax on the area basis instead of rateable value,'' officials said.

With the approval, Gujarat will be the first state to fix property tax on area basis. Ahemadabad and Vadadora are two cities in the state, where property tax is fixed on the basis of carpet area.

The Gujarat Municipalities (Amendment) Bill 2007 seeks lower taxes for residential premises smaller than 40 sq metres. Under the proposed legislation, even chawls and huts within municipal limits, could be subjected to property tax.

The Medical Services Bill aims to establish emergency medical services in the state in case of accidents, injuries and serious illness. With emergency medical services usually not reaching within the first crucial hour of a serious accident, it has resulted in higher mortality rate of 80 per cent. The Bill, therefore, assumes significance.

(Eds pls pick up from para 1 of BY5 two last Ahmedabad politics-Guj-Assembly-session) UNI