TAX INCREASE IN DELHI – TRADERS FAILED TO GET PRIORITY IN DELHI BUDGET

Though there is an increase of 31% tax collection in Delhi but traders failed to get any priority from Delhi Chief Minister in her Budget 2012-13 – said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) while commenting upon the budget. The Delhi budget is not economy driven and no steps have been taken to enhance the distributive character of Delhi trade.

CAIT Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal said that though the CM announced online availability of the VAT Department but no announcement has been made to upgrade and modernise the existing trade of Delhi. Despite yeomen contribution of the traders in enhancing the tax revenue, the CM has not announced any policy to provide necessary infrastructure in Delhi Markets.

Shri Khandelwal regretted that No announcement of any State Trade Policy for trade of Delhi has utterly dismayed the traders. Similarly in the wake of repeated incidents of loot and dacoity with traders the CM has not taken any initiative to form any Panel comprising of Police Officials, Delhi Govt Officials and traders. No steps have been announced to Remove anomalies and disparities in VAT taxation system

He further said that Walled city constitute a major area of Delhi trade and is known as the commercial hub of Delhi but the Chief Minister has not made any allocation of special fund to develop Shahjahanabad ( Old Delhi) into a modern marketing hub.

No announcement of a policy of rehabilitation and relocation of traders who have lost their business due to sealing, demolitions etc. in Delhi.

Akhilesh holds all-party meet ahead of Assembly session

A day before the commencement of Uttar Pradesh Assembly session, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday held an all-party meet during which he sought their cooperation for holding maximum sittings of the House.

At the meeting at his official residence in Lucknow, which was attended by all major parties except BSP, Yadav said his government would ensure that House sittings were more than 90 days.

Seeking cooperation of opposition parties in issues related to public interest, the chief minister said that their problems would be heard and taken care of.

"The opposition has assured the CM of constructive and positive support to the SP in the House on issues of the common man," SP spokesman and MLC Rajendra Chowdhury said.

Among those present at the meet were Leader of House in Vidhan Sabha Ahmad Hasan and senior SP leader and minister Ambika Chowdhry. CLP leader Pramod Tiwari, BJP Leaders Hukum Singh and O P Prakash Sharma, Peace Party and Apna Dal leaders Dr Ayub and Anupriya Patel respectively and RLD leader Thakur Dalveer Singh also participated in the discussions.

On the absence of BSP, Chowdhury claimed that while the party should have attended the meet, "It seems that they did not believe in democratic courtesy."

"The party should shun petty politics on such issues," he said.

Later, Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey also held an all-party meeting which decided to hold discussion on Governor's address for four days instead of three days.

"Earlier, the discussion on Governor's address was kept for three days which has been increased to four days from May 29-June 1.”

"In view of local bodies polls in which MLAs have to give time in their areas, we have also asked to reschedule the session accordingly," CLP Leader Pramod Tiwari said.

BSP leaders, who were not present at the CM's residence, attended the meet held by the Speaker.

Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Swami Prasad Maurya said that his party would raise issues including the alleged 'goondaraj' prevailing in the present regime.

The new SP government will present its first budget in this session.