Seeds exempted from VAT: Koda

Ranchi, Apr 5 (UNI) Asserting that agriculture was the backbone of Jharkhand's economy, state Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said seeds were exempted from VAT for the current fiscal.

Mr Koda said the decision in this regard was taken to provide the farmers with much-needed relief.

Speaking at the state budget session, Mr Koda said efforts were on to increase the foodgrain produce to meet the requirement of the state.

The Chief Minister said the main focus of the state government was to improve the agriculture sector since about 50 per cent of the foodgrains were being brought from outside the state.

Hence, the government in the new fiscal allocated about 7.04 per cent of the total budget for agriculture and 7.92 per cent for irrigation, Mr Koda added.

Stressing the need for rural development, Mr Koda said 16.48 per cent were earmarked for rural development, adding about Rs 206 crore had also been provided for Chief Minister's Gram Setu Sadak Yojna.

Speaking about the energy sector, Mr Koda said rural electrification project would also be completed by 2009.

He said the Jharkhand State Waqf Board would also be formed for monitoring Waqf property in the state.

However, Speaker Alamgir Alam said discussions on various issues during budget would be helpful to sort out the problems, adding it was a beginning of healthy tradition.

UNI