Gujarat budget session commencing on Feb 23

Ahmedabad, Feb 22: The opposition Congress is all set to put the Gujarat government led by Narendra Modi on the mat during the five-week long Budget session, begining here tommorrow.

The opposition will corner the state governemnt on the issues such as new liquor policy, price rise, law and order. While the state government, on the other hand, will ensure smooth passage of two important bills carrying out property tax reforms and establishment of emergency medical services.

The opposition has planned to take out various rallies during the Budget session towards run up for the assembly elections, which is likely to be held in November/December this year.

The state Government, besides passage of Budget for 2007-08, has decided to get the nod of assembly on its proposal of fixing property tax in the entire 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. Gujarat will be first state to fix property tax on area basis. Ahemadabad and Vadadora were two cities in the state, where property tax is fixed on the basis of carpet area.

The Gujarat Municipalities (Amendment) Bill 2007 seeks to impose tax 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.

While, the Bill on medical services 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 has resulted in higher mortality rate of 80 per cent. The bill therefore assumes significance.

UNI