RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, March 22: The issue of scrapping the exclusive scheme for women which allowed registration of properties worth up to Rs 50 lakh at a token Re 1 today hogged limelight as state minister Hafizul Hassan justified it saying it was necessary to revive the coffers. The BJP legislators, dissatisfied with the minister’s reply, walked out of the house.
The situation came after a debate on the demand for budgetary provision of three different departments including Land and Revenue, Tourism, Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs’ and Commercial Tax ended and state minister Hassan stood up to give a reply on behalf of the government.
The minister, mentioning the point raised by BJP legislator Anant Ojha, said due to the scheme of allowing registration of property worth up to Rs 50 lakh at a token Re 1 the state used to incur a revenue loss of Rs 400 crore. He also went on to say that there was nothing wrong in doing so as those who can spend in the tune of lakh for the purchase of land can also pay registration fees without any problem.
The minister said that the scheme was a conspiracy to loot land as women used to purchase land with the money provided by men. “Aap Neeta Ambani Ko Ek Rupaya Mein Zamin De Dijiye,” the minister said as the opposition interrupted him on the matter.
Later, when the BJP legislators walked out, the matter ended and the minister continued his reply on behalf of the government and shared what the government has planned to improve tourism and sports in the state.
He said that the new tourism policy which remained in force for five years and under the policy there is a plan to give subsidies up to Rs 10 crore for those generating the possibility to develop tourism as an industry. The minister sharing the positive attitude of the state government towards sports said as many as 40 sportsmen were given a direct appointment in the government job and the winners in international events were paid cash rewards ranging between Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for the first time besides the house, scooty and laptop.
On the promotion of youth activities, the minister said for the first time the Naval unit of NCC was opened in the state, and workshops were organized to promote local dance and other cultural activities.
The minister also informed the house regarding special support being provided to SC, ST, women and physically challenged besides retired army personnel to work in the field of tourism. Regarding sports activities he shared achievement in the field of football saying training is being imparted at Jamshedpur to football players of the state by the All India Football Federation and the state will host the under-18 Football Championship this year.
Talking about the achievements of the commercial tax department, the minister said that the department collected Rs 19321 crore as revenue against its target of Rs 18422 in the year 2021-22.