Rajasthan deplores Centre for refusal to IT exemption demand

Jaipur, Dec 4 (UNI) Rajasthan Rural Development Minister Kalu Lal Gurjar today deplored the Manmohan Singh Government at the Centre for refusal to grant income tax exemption for donations made into the trust founded by the state govenrment to augument funds, for the Mid Day Meal scheme for school children.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Gurjar said he as well as Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje had written several times to the Centre for grant of tax exemption to donors for encouraging donations for the trust, which had been formed by the state for augumentation of funds to improve the quality of the food being served to children in schools under the scheme.

Mr Gurjar also said the Centre had sent letter to the state government a fort-night ago to convey its inability in acceding to the demand.

The minister added it was not befitting on the part of the Centre to deny state government's request, as it was aimed at benefitting more than one crore poor children in rural panchayat run schools, who were being provided meal under the scheme.

He also expressed dissatisfaction over alleged delay or refusal, for due central grants for various schemes run by the State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department.

UNI