Judge SAD-BJP govt's performance before voting: Sukhbir

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked people to judge last seven years "performance" of SAD-BJP led government before exercising their franchise in coming Lok Sabha polls.
He impressed upon people to vote for Narendra Modi while describing him as strong and decisive leader which the country now needs.
On new projects, Badal said software giant Infosys which has been allotted 50 acres of land here would start construction of their campus from February 20.
"This center will provide more than 25,000 jobs to our youth while one of the biggest hotel and food processing company ITC is also landing in the state with huge investments. So time has come to consider development, performance and time bound fulfilment of promises by SAD-BJP before casting votes in Lok Sabha polls," he said.

In the interest of traders, Badal said it has been decided to ban access of excise inspectors in 71 B and C category towns from February 13 onward.
"No inspector can go to any trader, factory and other industrial or commercial sites without getting written permissions of Excise and Taxation Commissioner," he said.

Announcing self-assessment for the traders, Badal said now the traders and shopkeepers will not have to keep the record books as the government has implemented a policy under which the traders having Rs 25 lakh annual turnover will have to pay Rs 5,000 once.
He said the traders falling between sale of Rs 25 lakh to 50 lakh and Rs 50 lakh to 75 lakh will have to pay Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively while traders and shopkeepers with the annual sale up to Rs 1 crore would deposit Rs 20,000.

Badal said in lieu of this lump-sum tax amount the state Government will provide them every year cashless treatment up to Rs 50,000, Rs 2 lakh life and accidental insurance and Rs 5 lakh insurance in case of damage of property due to fire breakout.
Focusing on expansion and setting up of new industrial units, Badal claimed government has provided big relief to the Iron and Steel Industry of Mandi Gobindgarh by reducing VAT on steel iron from 4.95 to 2.75, on scrap 4.95 to 1 percent after having detailed discussion with the industrialists and traders.
He also announced the Voluntary Disclosure Scheme to redress the long pending cases of industrial units. He said under this scheme the pendency of cases would be eliminated and industrialists will have to pay just 1.5 per cent interest on their pending taxes. The Scheme will be remain operational till March 31.

To a query on VAT refund, he said there was a pendency of Rs 450 crore till January 1, out of which Rs 125 crore has been paid while the remaining amount would also be disbursed soon.