Punjab BJP today asked the state government to speed up tax refunds and take proactive steps to protect the existing industry in the state.
Taking part in discussion on Punjab Budget in the state Assembly here, BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, who is also a former Industry minister, said the state government should take steps to streamline the Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds to the industry community.
"Efforts need to be taken to ensure disbursement of timely VAT refunds to the industry," the MLA from Jalandhar Central Assembly said, adding that, "Refund process of VAT should be streamlined."
The state industry should be provided level playing field to remain viable, Kalia said.
"As we have been able to attract investment of Rs 65,000 crore, the state government should also take care of existing industry in the state," he noted.
Kalia also suggested that the state government should grow alternative crops on the basis of soil testing in different parts of the state in order to push crop diversification in the wake of stagnancy in state's agriculture sector.
Later, Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh also asked the state government to speed up VAT refunds, saying getting tax refunds was a complicated task.
Singh also took a dig at the state's crop diversification plan, saying that state government had failed to meet acreage target under maize with farmers complaining of not getting remunerative prices for the crop.
"Maize growers in Punjab faced heavy losses as they fetched just Rs 700-800 per quintal as against expected price of Rs 1,300 per quintal.
Singh sought from Punjab government to take up the matter with Centre to ensure assured procurement of maize by FCI as being done currently in paddy and wheat crops for central pool.
Farmers in Punjab were paying heavy taxes on their crops, Singh said, noting 12 per cent of tax was being charged in the state on foodgrain crops which need to be lowered.
