Delhi Budget 2010-11: Traders claim to lose trade worth Rs 60k cr

New Delhi, Mar 24 (UNI) Delhi will lose trade worth about Rs 60,000 crore annually if the proposed hike in fuel and VAT rates in the Delhi Budget 2010-11 persists, city traders claimed today.

Lambasting the Delhi Government for its ''anti-people'' Budget, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today estimated that as the city would be more expensive, large amount of its business would be shifted to other states.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said out of city's total annual business, the VAT collection was around Rs 15,000 crore per annum.

''However, by Delhi Budget proposals, it is expected that Delhi would loose around 30 per cent of its trade and a VAT revenue approximately of Rs 5000 crore,'' he noted.

Mr Khandelwal re-asserted his demand that the Delhi Government should rollback diesel and VAT slabs. ''There would be a price hike of about 15 per cent, burdening the 'aam aadmi' including traders,'' he said.

He alleged that the Government was forcing the Commonwealth Games on the city and country has nothing to gain out of the event.

''Delhi does not need these games if the prices are so high to bear in present and future,'' he said.

Left parties to hold nat'l protest against Delhi Budget

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) Condemning the Delhi Government for its ''anti-people Budget'', the Left parties today demanded immediate withdrawal of proposals to increase prices of LPG, diesel and CNG through hike in VAT in the Delhi Budget 2010-11 and declared to hold a national protest demonstration on March 26.

The Left parties, including CPI(ML) and CPI(M), lambasted the Congress Government for prioritising corporates and Commonwealth Games at the cost of the poor.

''The Delhi citizens have already been bearing the burden of increase in bus and metro fares, water tariffs, milk price, along with other essential items. The Delhi Budget proposed yesterday will only add to their woes, '' CPI(M) Secretary P M S Grewal said.

He alleged that the subsidy on LPG cylinders provided in June 2008 by the State Government had a political motive.

''The subsidy was put in place only for getting political gain in the 2008 Assembly elections. As no such compulsions exist now, the government believes that the people no longer count,'' he said.

Referring to the State Government's justification of raising resources for upcoming Commonwealth Games, the party said hundreds of crores of rupees had already being pilfered in the Games' preparations.

''Rather than raising requisite funds by cracking down on corruption, the Delhi Government is resorting to looting people,'' Mr Grewal said.

CPI(ML) Delhi State Secretary Sanjay Sharma said, ''The Budget has proven that for the Congress, the priority is to appease corporates and hold extravaganzas like Commonwealth Games, not to protect poor from skyrocketing prices.''

The party has demanded that the budgetary proposals to hike LPG, diesel and CNG prises be withdrawn on immediate basis and strict measures be taken against hoarding and blackmarketing.

Mr Sharma said the protest demonstration would be held in the national capital and be addressed by senior Left leaders.

Delhi Govt will consider all views on VAT hike in Budget: Sheila

New Delhi, Mar 23 (UNI) Faced with mounting criticism over the hike in VAT on several items and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG as proposed in Delhi Budget 2010-11, the Delhi Chief Minister today said State Government would give consideration to all view points before taking the final decision on the matter.

''We are open to all view points on the issue and they will be considered before giving the final reply on March 29,'' the Chief Minister's told reporters here this evening.

It is notable that the Chief Minister is to reply on the discussion on the Budget in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on March 29.

In view of mounting criticism of hike in VAT rates on many items and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG, it is expected that the State Government might consider partial rollback on the VAT rates on several items announced in the Budget.

The Chief Minister's latest statement could be seen as a comedown on her stand this morning when she ruled out any rollback in the VAT rates.

Talking to reporters this morning, she had said the hike was necessary to ensure the development of the city in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

Defending the withdrawal of the subsidy on LPG, the Chief Minister said the Delhi Government was the only one to retain the subsidy even when other states had withdrawn it.

Assuring that the hike in VAT rates would not have an adverse impact on the common man, the Chief Minister said the prices in Delhi were far lower compared to several other states.

LPG price hiked, VAT on many items raised in Delhi Budget 2010-11

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Life for ''aam aadmi'', already burdened by skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, is set to get tougher with the Delhi Budget for 2010 presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly today increasing VAT on CNG, diesel, dried fruits, desi ghee, glucose and tea while also withdrawing the Rs 40
subsidy on LPG.

Addressing reporters after presenting the Budget in the State Assembly, State Finance Minister A K Walia said the enhancement in VAT rates and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG were necessiated by the increased expenditure on infrastructural projects related to Commonwealth Games 2010.

''In view of increased expenditure due to the Commonwealth Games related projects and schemes and inadequate collection of taxes due to down turn in economy, additional sources of revenue are required,'' Dr Walia said.

The Budget removes the current subsidy of Rs 40 on the LPG which will lead to increase in prices to Rs 322.80 per gas cylinder.

The withdrawal of subsidy will relieve the State Government of a burden of Rs 160 to Rs 170 crore per annum.

The VAT on CNG for use in transport sector has been hiked to five per cent which will translate into a hike of Rs 1.09 per litre while the VAT on diesel have been increased from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent which amounts to a hike of Rs 2.37 per litre.

The VAT on kerosene stoves, embroidery and Zari items has been increased to five per cent while that on dry fruits, desi ghee, plastic containers, paint brushes, inverters, cocoa, coffee, glucose, fertilisers, locks, weights and measures and tea has been hiked to 12.5 per cent.

Further, the VAT on writing instruments, watches above Rs 5,000, mobile phones and accessories above Rs 10,000 and readymade garments has also been enhanced.

Dr Walia, however, assured that there would be no extra burden on the ''common man'' as the prices of essential commodities would not be increased.

''In any case with the implementation of GST next year, the subsidy on most items will have to be withdrawn,'' Dr Walia said.

The Budget also hikes the VAT on bio-inputs like fertilisers and micro nutrients and plant growth promoters to five per cent and on wood, timber, plywood and laminated boards, utensils and cutlery items, except those made of precious metals, fibre board and particle board to 12.5 per cent.

The VAT rate on aerated drinks has been hiked from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent, a hike that is likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs 10 crore.

Maximum registration fee on stamp has been increased to Rs 500 and that on other slabs proportionately. The State Government is likely to generate an additional revenue of Rs 6 crore.

Justifying the hike in the VAT rates and withdrawal in LPG and other subsidies, Dr Walia said, ''It was necessary to manage the finances required for building infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games. In this regard, it may be noted that despite several states withdrawing subsidies on several items many years ago, the Delhi Government had retained the subsidy, but in the present situation it was necessary to get the money required for infrastructure development for the Games.''

At the same time he assured that as soon as the financial position eases out, the government could announce more subsidies and make some concessions in the VAT rates.

Dr Walia said the subsidy on the consumers using 200 KW of electricity as well as that on pulses would continue.

The Opposition BJP in the Assembly, however, protested the Budget proposal. The presentation of the Budget was followed by uproarious scenes from the Opposition benches culminating in the walkout by the BJP members.

Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, Dr Walia said the Revised Budget Estimate of 2009-10 was estimated at Rs 25,800 crore against the original Budget Estimate of Rs 23,043 crore.

Total Budget Estimate for the year 2010-11 is Rs 26,000 crore that includes Rs 11,200 crore for plan expenditure, Rs 140 crore for expenditure on Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Rs 14,660 crore for non-plan expenditure.

Maximum 38 per cent allocation in the Budget has been to the transport sector at Rs 4224 crore. Thirteen per cent allocation has gone to urban development and water supply and sanitation, and 11 per cent allocation has gone to health, ten per cent to education and seven per cent to social welfare.

Among the initiatives announced in the Budget in the transport sector is mordernisation of the DTC fleet with the addition of 3775 low floor buses costing Rs 2019 crore, setting up a SPV to develop and maintain ISBTs, bus depots, Bus-Q-shelters and introduction of special non-stop service on 50 important routes.

Work on the approach road, for the Signature Bridge costing Rs 1131 crore has been started while the construction of the main bridge will start shortly.

In the health sector, Dr Walia said construction of 500-ward block at GTB Hospital at Shahadra was nearing completion and would be fully functional during year 2010-11.

Construction of Phase II of ILBS has also started.

Further, the Government plans to set up three 200-bedded hospitals at Vikas Puri, Burari and Ambedkar Nagar, and a 750-bedded hospital at Dwarka under PPP mode.

In the education sector, the government has increased the rates of uniform subsidy to students of MCD primary schools from Rs 200 per annum to Rs 500 per annum bringing them at par with students of the Delhi Government and Government-aided schools.

Also students of class sixth to twelfth of the Delhi Government and Government-aided schools will get an increased subsidy of Rs 700 per annum from the academic session 2010-11.

Further, the government has decided to extend benefits of uniform subsidy and textbook subsidy to the boys students of Government-aided schools (at present it is available only to girls) from the 2010-11 session.

The amount of scholarship to educationally backward minority students has been hiked by Rs 50 from the next academic session.

The Budget has also proposed an additional amount of Rs 749 crore for provision of services in unauthorised colonies.

In the social sector, the Budget proposes an amount of Rs 420 crore to provide age-old pension to one lakh more senior citizens.

It also announces setting up of nine tribunals under the Senior Citizens Maintenance Act for timely disposal of grievances of senior citizens.

Dr Walia said the proposed expenditure of Government of Delhi will be funded from Own Revenue Receipts of Rs 19,631 crore, Small Saving Loan of Rs 1000 crore, Central Plan Assistance of Rs 1284 crore, share in Central Taxes of Rs 325 crore and Rs 3760 crore from other sources.

Shortage of Ayurvedic medicines creates uproar in MCD

New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) The issue of shortage of Ayurvedic medicines in city hospitals and dispensaries created uproar in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's Standing Committee meeting today.

Shouting slogans against Bhartiya Janata Party, Congress leaders claimed that BJP-run state governments had only been focussing on promoting allopathic medicines.

''A major scam in the case of purchase of Ayurvedic medicines had come to light in July 2008 according to which the BJP had reduced to half the budget for the same, along with holding the purchase of some,'' Leader of Opposition in the MCD Jai Kishan Sharma alleged.

He mentioned that there were two Ayurvedic hospitals, five Panchkarma hospitals and 107 Ayurvedic dispensaries in the city.

''Though, these centres have a huge army of doctors and other workers, who get appraisal annually, there are not enough medicines to treat the patients,'' he said.
He added that this year, medicines of Rs 75 lakh have been purchased and the House granted Rs 174 lakh yesterday to purchase more.

''The amount is still not enough to overcome the shortage,'' he said.

When the Congress leaders came to the Well of the House and started agitating, the matter was postponed till next week.

Karat confirms support for Women's Reservation Bill

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat today affirmed the party's support for Women's Reservation Bill that was passed in the upper house of the Parliament yesterday.

''Our support to the Bill is as much clear and consistent as since beginning and will sustain that till it get passed,'' Mr Karat told UNI.

Replying to a question if the party would withdraw its support after the unprecedented ruckus created over the Bill yesterday in Lok Sabha and it had to be deferred till today, the leader asked, ''Where is the opposition that will lead to any withdrawal?''

He asserted that the party wanted to get it passed in the Lok Sabha in the same way it did in the Rajya Sabha yesterday after due discussions and debates.

The historic Bill, which would reserve 33 per cent seats for the fairer sex in Lok Sabha and state assemblies 186-1, was passed in the upper house after witnessing unruly scenes following which marshals were called into the House to bodily lift the seven MPs who were earlier suspended from the House for the Budget session.

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Women's Day coinciding with C'wlth Day an opportunity for women

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) As the International Women's Day coincided with the Commonwealth Day today, it is an opportunity to further the Commonwealth's agenda on women's welfare, Dr Angeli Qwatra, Member of Medical and Health Services Committee for Commonwealth Games 2010 said today.

Calling it an opportunity for the women of India, Dr Qwatra said, ''Co-occuring of the two important days would help highlight the actions needed against practices derogatory to Indian Women and their status including gender inequality and discrimination.''

Dr Qwatra is a Safety and Rescue Management expert who is training more than 1500 individuals volunteering for Commonwealth Games 2010 on ''Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness'' in and around Delhi.

''My mission is to empower all the women in our country with the basic life saving skills. A trained woman can be a saviour in case professional medical aid is unavailable,'' Dr Qwatra noted.

Referring to the significance of International Women's Day, she said, ''This day can be significant in highlighting the crucial role women can play in saving lives of others. This will promote the cause by creating a movement for safety preparedness.''

Dr Qwatra, who is also the chairperson of Philanthrope, an NGO that provides training on emergency aid measures to the masses, emphasised that the organisation gave priority to womenfolk as they happen to be the primary caretaker in the family who needed to be empowered to handle emergency situations.

''Out of our training database, about 60 per cent candidates have been women. Our focus remains more on safety related to daily life at home,'' she said.

Terming it as the biggest challenge Indian women are facing at present, Dr Qwatra asserted that even after being educated they ''are not prepared to handle the daily life emergencies which could make a difference between life and death of their
near and dear ones.''

The theme of the Commonwealth Day this year is ''Science, Technology and Society''. The public safety expert feels increased advancement has brought with it serious risks and challenges.

''We try to train people how to be prepared for handling victims of technology-related accidents and other man-made disasters like terrorist attacks,'' she said.

Dr Qwatra is an active member in implementing UNESCO projects on AIDS awareness in association with NACO, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As the Chairperson of Institute of Technology Dissemination and Environmental and Social Development, she has worked in association with Mewat Development Agency, Haryana, for the health education and empowerment of women in the backward and underdeveloped Mewat region.

She has also been on the editorial board of the journal ''Indian Anthropologist'' since 1996 and has to her credit research on 'Tribal Naga Students in Delhi', 'Gadulia Lohars', 'Economic role of women in Pauri Garwal', 'Chipko Movement' and 'Values, Options and Constraints of Educated Urban Women'.

Demand for regulation on genetic modification of animals

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) In an era of genetic engineering when animals are cloned to augment agribusiness, animal lovers are feeling an urgent need to regulate the application of biotechnology to farm animals.

Humane Society International (HSI), an animal welfare organisation, has written to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of Ministry of Environment and Forest, urging it to frame such regulations to protecting animal rights.

''The lack of regulatory or legal constraints on what can be done to farm animals in pursuit of increasing agricultural output, raises additional concerns about genetic engineering or cloning farm animals. The present regulations on the application of biotechnology to farm animals are inadequate,'' HSI's campaign manager in India, N G Jayasimha told UNI.

These experiments are done to propagate certain traits useful to agribusiness, such as meat yielding or feed conversion. ''These technologies have already been shown to have serious adverse impacts on animal welfare,'' he said.

Guidelines on the Regulation of Scientific Experiments on Animals issued by the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) do not cover experimentation on animals in agricultural production, the
letter stated.

Mr Jayasimha informed that HSI, based in Pune, is also in the process of drafting certain regulations in this regard which they would like to submit to the committee.
''Our endeavour will be to draft the regulations to comply with international humane standards and be effective in Indian conditions,'' he said.

The regulations would ensure that the breeding goals are redefined to reflect social concerns, he asserted hoping to have a proper regulatory mechanism having diverse representation.

According to statistics available, the country has no regulations for animal cloning currently. The Department of Biotechnology only regulates human stem cell research, and transgenic research, where traits of different species are mixed.

Reportedly, scientists of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) say they are involved only in ''pure cloning'' for which they have been given the nod by the Agriculture Ministry. But they admit that transgenic research is the future,
though they will not start transgenic research without approval from the Department of Biotechnology.

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