In an attempt to encourage mobile banking in rural pockets of the state, the Jharkhand government has decided to waive value added tax (VAT) on mobile phones worth below Rs 5,000.
"We have made VAT free on mobile phones worth below Rs 5000 to encourage rural masses opt for mobile banking and a cashless Jharkhand," Chief Minister Raghubar Das said while addressing a state-level convention on cleanliness, organised by Jharkhand Drinking Water and Sanitation department at JRD Tata Sports complex here.
Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to demonetize Rs 500/1000 currency notes on November 8 as "bold", Das said the move was aimed to track 30 per cent black money in circulation.
With 30 per cent of the black money in circulation our economic system's growth was impeded, he said while appreciating the people of the state for supporting Modi's decision 'whole-heartedly'.
Despite harassment, people were standing in queue before banks and ATMs but nonetheless supporting Modi's demonetisation decision, the chief minister said.
The attitude of the 125 crore population of the country indicated that the country is changing and they have dream to see India as "Economic Superpower of 21st Century", Das said.
Hitting out for '70-year long misrule', Das, who did not name the Congress, said it was a blot on the face of the country that "we could not provide toilets, roads, electricity etc to masses even 70 years after Independence".
"Isn't it shocking that our women had to wait for sunset to attend nature's call in the open," he asked while stating that Prime Minister had assured to invest the money seized following demonetisation for the welfare of the masses.
The state government was committed to achieve all round development with an objective to see the mineral-rich state in the line of developed states of the country in next three years period, Das added.
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