Gujarat MPS unhappy over budget allocation to State

Ahmedabad, Mar 9 (UNI) In a presentation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a group of MPs from Gujarat have expressed displeasure over the gross injustice meted to the State in the Union Budget for 2007-08.

The MPS said after the budget presentation they found injustice was being done to the State by the UPA government at the Centre, as several economic issues remained unsolved.

The representation, signed by 18 MPs from Gujarat, has sought Dr Singh's personal intervention to make provision for sufficient funds in the budget to address major issues pertaining to Gujarat.

The MPs said a host of their demands had not been met by the Centre.

Among their demands were allocation of Panna-Mukta Tapti gas for setting up 650 MW power project at Pipavav in Saurashtra; transfer of Vadinar Port from Kandla Port limits to Gujarat; shifting of office of development Commissioner from Kandla to Gandhinagar; shifting of headquarters of Salt Commissioner from Jaipur to Gandhinagar; assistance for long-term flood reconstruction and Central approval to Gujarat Controlled Organised Crime Bill, 2005.

Other demands like extension of time limit for setting up of industries in Kutch; extension of Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway upto Mumbai, immediate start up of work on Ahmedabad-Dandi heritage road, linking of Gandhidham-Mundra road and upgradation of State highways to national highways; reduction of excise duty on ship breaking; upgradation of Surat and Rajkot airports, had also not been met by the Centre.

The MPS said that the budget was silent on the clearance of Industrial Park Bill, which, they said, would have encouraged employment-intensive industries.

There was no budgetary allocation to start IIT in Gujarat, they added.

Funds allocated for coastal security were highly inadequate and could pose a serious threat to national security. There also were no incentives to develop minor ports in the State. There was no statement regarding development of Kandla Port along with Special Economic Zone, which is likely to be a major economic driver for Gujarat, they rued.

In the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Investors Summit, the State had successfully attracted about 150 million USD worth investments, but it would not be able to achieve its ambitious developmental agenda unless it received help from various Central government departments, the State MPs said in the presentation.

UNI