Cong Mps ask FM to abolish BCTT

RUN-UP TO THE BUDGET

Congress MPs today made a host of suggestions including the abolition of Banking Cash Transaction Tax, tax breaks to boost industries, special allocation for deprived sections, and lowering of interest rate on farm credit at a pre-budget discussion with Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the Central Hall of Parliament today.

They expressed concern about continuing rise in the prices of essential commodities and suicide by farmers in different parts of the country.

They wanted the government to announce a special package for agricultural sector and further reduce rate of interest on agricultural loans. Some MPs wanted schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Muslims.

Dausa MP Sachin Pilot and Rajya Sabha MP JD Seelam wanted budgetary allocation to the deprived sections of people like SCs/STs as per their population. Some MPs pointed out inadequate number of schools and hospitals in border areas and requested the FM to come up with a special package for infrastructure development in these areas.

Several state-specific issues were raised at the meeting that lasted for almost 75 minutes. They also wanted more funds to be allocated for hilly regions.

The FM gave them a patient hearing as 18 MPs spoke about a host of issues ranging from desertification in Rajasthan to the impact of price rise on 'aam admi'. Many more MPs were eager to speak and therefore it was decided to have another meeting on December 18. The FM will make a reply on these discussions on that day.

Although many MPs raised the issue of price rise and requested the FM to take additional measures to check it, a senior Congress leader told Business Standard that the same issue will crop up again on Monday.

After the MPs, the party will organise another discussion on Budget at the AICC headquarters in which senior party leaders will express their wishlist for the next budget.