AGARTALA, Feb 27 � Tripura Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury on Monday presented a tax-free Budget for 2012-13 FY of Rs 8119.47 crore in theAssembly in the shadow of adverse recommendations from the 13th FinanceCommission.
This will leave a deficit of Rs 149.33 crore in the Budget and is expected to be covered by increased fund flow from Central sources, improving resources mobilisation and reduction in non-development expenditure.
In the proposed Budget, the Finance Minister proposed to increase the age of retirement on superannuation from the present 58 years to 60 years with effect from April 1 next.
Keeping in mind the 2013 Assembly elections, Chowdhury also proposed to increase the maximum entry age into Government services from 37 years to 40 years with relaxation of 5 years for ST/SC.
Presenting the election centric Budget, Chowdhury said the Centre had been pressing the State Government to introduce new pension scheme which has already been implemented by the Union Government for its employees. � The Left Front Government has been constantly opposing the policy as it would hit the social security net to the employees and hence the Government will continue with its old pension scheme�, he said.
Chowdhury said, the Government will also continue with need-based fresh recruitment in various departments, but did not specify how many jobs will be given during the coming financial year (2012-13).
Noting that the State is passing through a difficult financial condition after announcement of the 13th FC awards, Chowdhury said no new tax has been proposed in the Budget to give relief to the common people.
Chowdhury who presented the Budget for the 15th time also proposed some welfare schemes especially for girls. �Unmarried women of the age group of 45 years and above belonging to BPL families will get a monthly pension of Rs 400. Besides, scope of pension scheme for 100 percent blind which is now available only for BPL category, will be offered to APL category too. They will get Rs. 1000 pension per month�, he said.
Later, talking to media at the lobby, the Finance Minister termed it as one of the best Budgets he has so far presented to the people of the State. �Despite the adverse situation, the Finance department has presented a best possible Budget outlining the Government�s commitment towards the welfare of the common people�, he said.
Apparently hitting the 13th Finance Commission for allocating less outlay, Chowdhury said that in spite of the difficult situation, the Left Front Government has not bucked to the much-hyped reforms pushed by the Central Grnment.
