Haryana passes bill to repeal LADT Act

Chandigarh, Mar 27 (UNI) The Haryana assembly today passed the Haryana Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Bill, 2008 which seeks to repeal the Haryana Local Area Development Tax (LADT) Act, 2000.

Moving the bill, Haryana Finance Minister Birender Singh said: ''The object of the Act is to raise additional resources. Tax collected under the legislation shall be utilised exclusively for the development of trade, commerce and industry in the state and also for creation and maintenance of infrastructure facilities for free flow of trade and commerce.'' In this way, the Act acquires compensatory character and would represent marked improvement over the earlier legislation sought to be repealed, he said.

The Act in section 18 has adequate safeguards against evasion of tax on commodities like minerals, rori, and bajri entering into local areas from outside the state for consumption, use or sale, he added.

The assembly passed three other bills on the penultimate day of the ongoing budget session today.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala moved the Haryana Lifts and Escalators bill 2008 and the Haryana Cattle Fairs (Amendment) Bill, 2008.

According to the Haryana Lifts and Escalators bill, it would regulate the construction, installation, maintenance and safe working of lifts and escalators and all machinery and apparatus pertaining to them in the state.

The Haryana Cattle Fairs (Amendment) Bill was passed to improve financial position of Gram Panchayats for taking care of cattle. As per the amendment made, it is desirable to allocate part of the Cattle Fair Fund to the Gram Panchayats instead of Zila Parishads, it said.

The Haryana Evacuee Properties (Management and Disposal) Bill, 2008 was moved by Revenue Minister Savitri Jindal.

According to the bill, there would be management and disposal of evacuee land and properties received from the Indian Government through various Package Deals and Administrative and Financial Arrangement and other matters connected.

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