Surplus budget in Haryana, No fresh taxes

Chandigarh, Mar 18 (UNI) A Rs 6650 crore budget with a surplus of over three crore and no fresh taxes was presented in the Haryana assembly today by Finance Minister Birender Singh.

Presenting the budget in the assembly, Mr Birender Singh said the financial year 2008-09 was likely to open with a surplus of Rs 3.80 crore and close with a surplus of Rs 7.01 crore. The transactions on year's account showed a surplus of Rs 3.21 crore.

Out of the State Plan allocation of Rs 6650 crore, Rs 867 crore had been earmarked for power sector, Rs 790 crore for irrigation sector, Rs 766 crore for Roads and Transport sector and Rs 653 crore for water supply and sanitation.

An allocation of Rs 970 crore had been made for Education, including industrial training and technical education, Rs 640 crore for Social justice and Empowermet, Rs 172 crore for Women and Child Development, Rs 164 crore for Health services and Rs 130 crore for Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Backward Classes (BCs), he added.

As a welfare measure for women and children, VAT had been abolished on sanitary napkins, diapers, and toys, excluding battery-operated electric and electronic toys, the Finance Minister said.

He also announced tax relief on chokes of energy efficient tube lights.

The Finance Mnister also announced to extend several benefits for state employees, including interest free loan for purchase of wheat to class 'C' employees drawing salary plus DA of Rs 7,000.

Besides a provision of Rs 1550 crore to cater to payment of increase in salary and pension likely to be effected on the recommendation of the sixth Pay Commission.

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