Budget session on, expectations rise

Development momentum to continue

As many as 16 statutory bills, including the Gujarat Value Added Tax Bill, are scheduled to be tabled during the seventh budget session of the 11th state legislative assembly, which began on Thursday with the customary address by governor Nawal Kishore Sharma in Gandhinagar.

Major changes are expected in the Prohibition Act as it is the only state in the country which has an effective ban on alcohol consumption, sale and purchase. Changes in the energy sector policy are also on cards as the state plans to increase the use of CNG, green fuel.

Besides state finance minister Vajubhai Vala proposing the budget for 2005-06, some major bills are scheduled to be tabled in the assembly which include The Gujarat Obsequial Dinners (Control) (Repeal) Bill, The Bombay Weights and Measures (enforcement) (Repeal Gujarat) Bill, The Gujarat Motor Vehicles (use of fuel) Regulation Bill, The Gujarat Cinema (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, The Gujarat Essential Commodities and Cattle (Restriction) Bill, The Mumbai Measurement (regarding information and enforcement) Remedies Bill, The Indian Stamps (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, The Mumbai Prohibition (Gujarat Amendment) Rules, The Mumbai Labour Welfare Fund (Gujarat Amendment) Rules, The Dhrangadhra Municipality (regarding imposition of tax) (regarding validity) (Repeal) Bill, The Gujarat Civil Courts Bill, The Mumbai Non-Trading Corporations (Gujarat Repeal) Bill, The Centre for Environment Planning and Technology Bill, The Dharamasinh Desai Institute of Information and Technology Bill, The Gujarat Fiscal Liabilities Bill and The Gujarat Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill.

While addressing the state assembly for the first time, the state governor said, "Gujarat has created an unique identity in the country and the world by acquiring many achievements in its development march. The state's march into the 21st century has become a direction for the entire country. The government is determined to continue the development works by adopting the slogan, 'The development of Gujarat is the development of nation'."

The governor highlighted various development works carried out by the state in the last few years.

He also gave details about hydel power projects, the Rs 6,237 crore Sujalam Sufalam Scheme, drinking water projects, Kalpsar project, Gyan Shakti project, girls education, higher and technical education, Somnath Sanskrit University, human resources development, wide area network, science city, bio-technology, energy projects, Jyotigram Yojana, gas and petroleum, Raksha Shakti, transportation, jail, judiciary, environment, health, Matru Vandana Yojana, labour and employment.

Sharma also talked about insurance cover, art & culture, sports, industrial development, cottage and rural industry, tourism, development of the deprived class, tribal welfare, welfare of nomadic and denotified tribes, rural development, women and child welfare, 20 points programme, development of pilgrim places, Gau seva commission, urban development and urban housing, agriculture, farming and green revolution, forest, road development, ports, fisheries, revenue administration, civic service centres, surplus land distribution, assistance to Tsunami affected, public distribution system, consumer protection, prohibition, information and broadcasting, financial administration, good governance, statutory and parliamentary affairs among others.

Sharma concluded his speech by stating, "My government is committed to pursue a place of pride regarding the development of the state."

At the end of the first day of the budget session, the assembly condoled the death of those public figures who passed away since the last assembly session was held. The last budget session (sixth session), which was held on August 6, 2004, was conducted for just one day.