KOHIMA, MARCH 20 (DIPR): Briefing media persons after presenting the budget for 2006-07, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio described the budget as people friendly and he stated that social services and Agri. and Allied sectors are the two main thrust areas where the Government is concentrating. ‘Being a welfare State, the budget has not added any new tax’, he said.
On the issue of Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund, Rio said that guidelines are given to give priority to projects for cobblers, tailoring, electricians, plumbers and barbers.
He also informed that revenue from lottery, power sector and VAT has gone ahead of last year, mentioning that tax collection after introduction of VAT has increased to 15%. Besides, there is no new value added tax (VAT). “If people are sincere enough we will benefit a lot, it is big money for a small state”, Rio said.
Rio also stated that despite problems of insurgency, landowners etc DAN Government has done lot of developmental activities and is undertaking many new initiatives and assured that fund meant for developmental activities will be judiciously utilized.
