RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov 15: Jharkhand Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon while participating in a pre-budget meeting at New Delhi raised demand of Rs 1,36,042 crore which is Jharkhand’s due from Coal India Ltd (CIL).
Other demands he raised for Jharkhand during the meeting included extension of GST compensation period by five years, proper closure of abandoned mines to ensure its proper use for tourism development, airport at Sahibganj to promote economic activities, waiver of state responsibility in construction of rail over bridge and revision of pension given under social security keeping money inflation in mind.
Oraon also raised demands for immediate drought relief fund, increasing collateral free education loan limit from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, increasing area of irritated land which at present is only 14 per cent in Jharkhand, increasing fund for road construction in rural areas, amendment in memorandum to ensure net borrowing ceiling.
Citing the reason behind increasing the GST compensation period, he said that the state could not collect tax according to Protected Revenue under GST.
Giving the breakup of Jharkhand’s demand of Rs 1,36,042 crore from Coal India, the finance minister said the amount included Rs 1,01,142 crore under land compensation head, Rs 32,000 crore under common dues head and Rs 2,900 crore under Wash Coal Royalty head.
Citing reason behind the demand of proper closure of the mines, the finance minister said improper closure gives opportunity for illegal mining, pollution while the proper closure will help promote sports, adventure tourism and this creates job opportunity.
The meeting was convened to take views of the state before preparation of the union budget.
