Chandigarh, April 7-
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said that due to strenuous efforts of the Aam Aadmi government the state has been transformed from ‘fiscal deficit’ to ‘fiscal profit’ state by massive generation of revenue.
Interacting with the media persons here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that though the previous governments had always thought of their own vested interests his Government has pulled all plugs to enhance the revenue in state. He said that these efforts have produced desired results as the state has been able to generate maximum revenue. Bhagwant Mann said that the honest government in state has changed the direction of fund flow from private houses of leaders to government exchequer.
The Chief Minister said that though the state government had launched the Excise policy by delay of three months but it has fetched revenue worth Rs 8841 crore in the state. He said that this is Rs 2587 crore more than last year which was roughly an increase of 41.41%. Bhagwant Mann said that the target for next financial year is Rs 9754 crore adding that this will also be achieved.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has for the first time presented a zero tax budget in the state. He said that this is first of its kind pro-people initiative which will go a long way is ensuring the welfare of people. Bhagwant Mann envisioned that no stone will be left unturned for the holistic development of the state and prosperity of its people.
Dwelling on another agenda, the Chief Minister said that the state has witnessed massive increase in the GST collection. He said that earlier the state was worst performing in GST collection but now with a hike of 16.6% Punjab is one of the top most performing state in GST collection. Bhagwant Mann said that the collection of last fiscal was Rs 18126 crore as compared to Rs 15542 crore of its previous year.
The Chief Minister said that in a landmark initiative the state government has taken a new experiment on giving an exemption of 2.25 % on stamp duty for land registration. He said that due to this in month of March revenue collection has enhanced from Rs 339 crore in February to Rs 658.68 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that as per the feedback of people the exemption has now been extended to April 30.
The Chief Minister said that though earlier PSPCL symbolised loss due to wrong policies of the successive state governments. However, he said that his government has taken unprecedented initiatives to strengthen the this public sector undertaking. Bhagwant Mann said that for the first time in history of state the government has released all the pending subsidy worth Rs 20,200 crore.
The Chief Minister said that out of this subsidy Rs 9063.79 crore has been given to Agriculture sector, Rs 8285.90 crore has been paid on domestic subsidies and Rs 2911 crore has been provided to industrial sector. He said that the state government has inherited a debt of Rs 9020 crore from previous governments and the state government has is also repaying the inherited loan through instalments worth Rs 1894 crore. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has so far provided 3538 jobs to the youth in the power sector.
The Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government the power generation in state has enhanced manifolds. He said that already smooth and hassle free supply of coal has started from Jharkhand coal mine. Bhagwant Mann said that the state is heading towards becoming a power surplus state in the country.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government is exploring the possibility of moving to the court for seeking pending funds under the Rural Development Fund from the centre. He said that the Union government is unnecessarily harassing the state by stalling funds worth Rs 30000 crore under the RDF. Bhagwant Mann said that while the state government has completed all the formalities but then also the centre government has deliberately stalled the legitimate funds of the state which is sheer injustice with the state.
Listing the pro-people initiatives taken by the state government, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Government has so far given more than 28,000 jobs to youth across the state adding that the sole criteria for selection in this entire recruitment process is merit and the entire procedure is being followed in a transparent manner. He said that now these youth have become integral part of the socio-economic growth of state. Bhagwant Mann said that such a whopping number of jobs in merely one year reflect the commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of youth and opening new avenues of employment for them.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has dedicated 504 Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state to impart quality health services in the state adding that 134 more such clinics will be dedicated soon. He said that these clinics are providing world class treatment and diagnostic facilities to the people free of cost. Bhagwant Mann said that so far 21.21 lakh patients have been benefitted from these Aam Aadmi clinics adding that lakhs of patients have undergone free tests in merely few months.
The Chief Minister said that in a major relief to the farmers of the state the state government has announced 25% upward revision in the compensation for the crop loss to the farmers. He said that in case the loss is more than less than 75% then the compensation will be Rs 6800 per acre as compared to Rs 5400 earlier adding that if the loss was more than 75% then the state government will compensate the farmers with Rs 15,000 per acre as compared to Rs 12000 earlier. Bhagwant Mann said that the motive is to ensure the well being of the farmers at all costs adding that special Girdawari is going on in state and the compensation will be disbursed before Baisakhi.
The Chief Minister said that at present around 50 public sand mines are operational in the state which are benefitting the people in a big way. He said that this number will be enhanced as the state government will soon open 150 new mines across the state. Bhagwant Mann said that in these public the sand is being supplied Rs 5.50 per cubic feet.
