UPA secured farmers' future by withdrawing wealth tax: Hooda

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said that the UPA government had "secured the future" of the farmers by withdrawing wealth tax on farm lands.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh; UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram for the farmer- friendly decision.
Speaking to reporters here after chairing a meeting of the state cabinet, Hooda also thanked his Punjab counterpart Prakash Singh Badal for supporting the issue.
Hooda said that he had impressed upon the UPA leaders that wealth tax should not be levied on the farmers as there was no income tax on agriculture.

"Now, no wealth tax would be imposed on the agricultural land in the country whether within the municipal limits or outside the municipal limits, unless there is change in land use," he said.
On the issue of bonus on wheat, Hooda said that he had already written to the Prime Minister seeking bonus of Rs 200 per quintal on wheat for the farmers.

When asked to comment whether the Congress party would contest the forthcoming elections for the municipal corporations on party symbol, he said the Congress would take appropriate decision in this regard.
"The elections will be held as per the schedule to be issued by the State Election Commission," he said.

In reply to a question regarding the visit of Rahul Gandhi to Panchkula on May 8, Hooda said that Gandhi would address former and current MPs and MLAs, District Presidents, Block Presidents, village Sarpanches and other office-bearers of the party.
Asked whether the state government would set up a Sports University in the state, Hooda said that the matter was under consideration.