Puducherry: Lt Governor of Puducherry Iqbal
Singh today underscored the need for Puducherry Administration
to impress on Planning Commission for more funds for the Union
Territory and also seek waiver of Central loan component.
Chairing a meeting of the Puducherry State Planning Board
held here to chalk out the draft annual plan for the 2010-11
fiscal, Singh said there was also a need to put in place
urgent steps to augment the Union Territory's own resources.
A copy of his speech delivered at the meeting was later
released to mediapersons.
Calling upon the members of the Board to make a realistic
assessment of the funding pattern of 2010-11 annual plan, he
suggested that there could be exploration of 'potential
segments to generate vital resources'. He also listed in his
suggestions feasibility of marginal increase in rates of Value
Added Tax (VAT) on select goods could be studied.
There could also be a review of 'user charges in various
departments as the rates now levied were fixed decades back in
certain cases and have lost relevance,' he said.
His other suggestions included levy of parking fees at
least in areas frequented by tourists, review of other taxes
collected by municipalities, speedy implementation of
infrastructure projects, introduction of sea cruises, ships,
water sports and more restaurants.
He said market borrowings should be within the permissible
norms and within the fixed percentage of Gross State Domestic
Product prescribed by Centre. Chief Minister V Vaithilingam
and his cabinet colleagues were among those who attended the
meeting.
-PTI
First Published: Friday, January 22, 2010, 00:27
