Haryana govt's tax-free budget a misnomer: BJP

Opposition BJP in Haryana Assembly members today termed as misleading the ruling Congress' claim of having introduced no new taxes in the state budget.
Participating in a discussion on budget estimates in the state assembly, BJP leader Krishan Pal Gujjar said, "The government's claim of presenting a tax-free budget is a misnomer."
"Does the government have a magic wand to mop up resources without imposing any taxes? We have seen in the past that people are burdened as taxes are imposed through backdoor after presentation of the budget by way of property tax and by increasing the rates for power, water, etc," he said.

The former chief of BJP's Haryana unit also picked holes in the state's growth story saying that a 7.1 per cent growth rate was not good enough when tall claims were being made by the government regarding overall development under Bhupinder Singh Hooda's leadership.
Describing the state budget as being "directionless" and of little potential benefit to the masses, Gujjar said while Haryana's debt kept increasing each year, bulk of its revenue earnings went in paying wages and pensions and in servicing loans.
He also accused the state government of not taking any substantial steps on the industrial front and for failing to provide relief to the common man by reducing VAT on diesel and petrol.

"We want to know how many SEZs were set up in the state and how many jobs generated as a result. Also, how much foreign investment has flowed into the state," Gujjar asked.
On the ambitious plan for a housing scheme in rural areas which is to initially cover two lakh families, he said the government should first clarify how it proposed to generate funds for the purpose.
Earlier, BJP members along with Renuka Bishnoi, the lone MLA of ally Haryana Janhit Congress, staged a symbolic walkout from the House after BJP legislature party leader Anil Vij's demand to discuss some "burning issues" was rejected.