M A I N   N E W S

Nothing to cheer common man
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 20
An attempted “please-all” budget by Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal leaves those planning houses in new urban complexes, especially private colonies, cribbing as they will have to pay change of land use charges.

Even after paying such charges, they will have to shell out much more to get basic construction materials, especially sand and bajri, on which the SAD-BJP government wants to rationalise royalty.

While the government hopes to generate Rs 200 crore per annum from royalty on the mining of non-ferrous metals, the brunt will be borne by the ultimate user, the construction industry. As of now, the state gets only Rs 10 crore as royalty. This additional royalty of Rs 190 crore, believe those planning to build houses, will pick holes in their pockets.

The levy of 5 per cent cess on electricity duty and 3 per cent additional stamp duty on urban land transactions will also hit the urban middle and lower middle class. These levies will go towards the creation of a social security fund.

In return, the common man tends to benefit from the provision of better healthcare, education and transport services. Municipal corporation town hospitals would be better equipped. Public transport (buses) is also being introduced in four corporation towns that will provide cheap and reliable local transport there.

The upgradation of colleges, introduction of new courses and conversion of the home science college to the college of nursing will also benefit the youth.

In a step towards employment generation, the plan to start a flying academy at Talwandi Sabo and the upgradation of the Patiala Flying Club are other proposals which will benefit the youth. Those aspiring to join the defence and paramilitary forces also have some good news as the state proposes to open four more centres for training and employment.

Besides the introduction of the subsidised atta and dal scheme will benefit 13.25 lakh families and the introduction of the Bhai Ghanaiya sehat seva scheme lakhs of members of cooperative societies in the state.

The existing welfare schemes for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and disadvantaged sections will continue as before.