Budget wishlist: Withdraw development tax, set up R&D centre for sports industry

As the government is set to present its Budget on Wednesday, city residents are having expectations from the Aam Aadmi Party-led government.

A section of industrialists, teachers and chartered accountants have already been raking up their issues with the state Finance Department so that their demands get included in the Budget.

Rajesh Kakkar, a CA, has proposed, "The state government should discontinue the Punjab State Development Tax of Rs 200 per month from each income tax payer. It was their poll promise. Punjab should do away with road tax on battery-operated hybrid vehicles as has been done in Uttar Pradesh. This will boost sales of these vehicles and will clean environment. There is need to rationalise property tax as it is too much complicated. There should be a slab system to increase compliance."

Rajan Gupta, industrialist and member, MSME, said, "The government must ensure that there is special budget allocation for infrastructural development of industrial zones. Even though these zones fall under the Municipal Corporation area, officials or the councillors pay no heed. The single window system under 'Invest Punjab' scheme also needs an overhaul. Whenever an application is moved through the scheme, the departments tend to raise one objection or the other and it takes an applicant almost a year to clear these hurdles. The government must spell out a new mechanism for quick clearance which could be by way of self-attestation."

Sports goods manufacturer Chetan Dhir said, "We are demanding a research and development centre for the sports industry for the past two decades. The long pending sports hub in Jalandhar needs to be developed on a quick pace with multiple sporting facilities, pitches and courts. A sports park or a conventional centre for sports needs to be established where individuals or groups could gather to promote and share common interests. The sports goods industry is already eagerly waiting for an exhibition centre. But our moot issue remains that the Finance Minister, who is also the member of GST Council, India, must bring in sports goods in the 5 per cent slab rate instead of the current slab of 12 -18 pc tax."

Manbir Singh, MD, CT Group of Institutions, said, "I am pleased with the fact that the Cabinet has amended the Punjab Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011. This amendment will enable students from economically weaker sections to access private schools, a significant stride toward fostering inclusivity and equality in our education system.

Additionally, the Cabinet's decision to establish 40 ‘Hunar Sikhiya’ schools (Schools of Applied Learning) is a commendable initiative aimed at providing youth with valuable technical training in vital sectors such as banking, digital design, beauty and healthcare. However, it is essential to recognise that this number is insufficient given the pressing need to combat brain drain and to adequately prepare our workforce for the challenges of tomorrow. It is imperative that we expand these educational initiatives to ensure that every child has access to quality training and opportunities."

A college professor, Dr Kunal Mehta, said, "The government has already been taking initiatives. The 25 per cent seat allocation for students from economically weaker section in private schools is already a historic decision. Hunar Sikhya School too is a good initiative and can go a long way in helping children learn vocational skills right at the time of school education. We expect the urban e-bus service to start soon which can ease transportation of students and staff, besides the local population. An MoU that the state government is planning to sign with the British Council can be the next good initiative".

Karnail Singh, press secretary of Government Teachers' Union, Punjab, said, "Our demand before the government is that the state should have its own education policy instead of following the National Education Policy. The government should also focus on restoring the old pension scheme for its employees".