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FINER interacts with Bangkok
Airways delegation
Shri Sudip De, Director and Shri S.D. Lahkar, Sr. Consultant,
FINER had an interaction with the delegation of Bangkok Airways on
1st March’05 at Guwahati. The team from Bangkok Airways led by
Presiden & CEO of Bangkok Airways Dr. Prasert Prasavttong-Osoth
who sought the views of FINER with regard to the possibility of
connecting Bangkok with Northeast India. The 29 member Thai
delegation to the State was on a exploratory visit to study the
feasibility of developing trade and tourism between Thailand &
India and more specifically of Assam.
FINER Vice President comments on Assam Budget 2005-06
Our compliments to Chief Minister and his worthy deputy M.O.S. for
Finance for striking a good balance between demand & supply in
presenting a fairly good Budget. With a focus on growth, job
creation, Technological Advancement with increased outlays for
qualitative change in socio-economic conditions of the masses.
Whereas Buoyancy in Tax Collection indicates that the state
economy is poised for sustained rebound, there is no room for any
complacency.
Though Budget has attempted to correct some anomalies in respect
of taxation, a lot more need to be done. For voluntary compliance,
Govt. should follow the policy of – “ Low rates & few rates” and
thus have a relook at rationalization and review of its entire tax
structure including Entry Tax.
One disappointing feature is that there is no mention of any
policy frame work with regard to Public Private Partnership which
is the need of the hour.
With the proposed legislation on “Fiscal Responsibility Budget
Management”, the real change now lies in ensuring accountability
else the promise of development would remain a chimera.
FINER meets Principal Secretary, P&D Deptt. Assam on flight
schedule
A meeting was convened by the Principal Secretary, P & D
Department, Govt. of Assam Shri P.P. Verma, IAS on 19th March’05
to discuss matter connected with scheduling of flight to & from
the North East. The meeting was attended by Shri M.K. Sharma,
Chairman, Tourism Committee of FINER, Shri S.D. Lahkar, Secretary
General, FINER, Shri D.K. Sharma, Secretary General of NECCI and
Shri Mahabir Jain, President, Kamrup Chamber of Commerce and
others.
Opening the deliberations Shri Verma referred to the need for
scheduling flights to Guwahati so that passengers could optimize
their time. He specifically stated that it should be possible for
a passenger to return the same day to and from Guwahati in the
Guwahati-Delhi sector. The idea was to avoid night halt in
Guwahati. He also stated that Govt. of Assam has already moved the
Central Govt. in this regard. Members present made the following
submissions:
1) Travel to & from Guwahati and other metros should be scheduled
in such a manner that if necessary night halts can be avoided.
2) Introducing feeder aircrafts/airlines from Northeastern State
capitals/towns to Guwahati so as to facilitate travel in the same
day to Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata.
3) Following up with Indian Airlines for promoting the flight to
Bangkok and back to Guwahati.
4) Scheduling flight timings so as to encourage tourism.to the
Region.
5) Reviving the Flying Club at Guwahati
FINER submits petition to Government on behalf of Hotels &
Restaurants
The Federation has submitted a representation on behalf of the
hotel industry to the Government appealing against the heavy rate
of tariff imposed by the ASEB on the hotel industry. The petition
states that hotels are a part of tourism sector which provides
direct and indirect employment to several thousands of people in
the State. The world over the tourism is treated as industry and
thereby granted priority status of its employment generating
capabilities as well as attracting domestic & international
tourist in the country and helping earning of foreign exchange.
The petition states that hotels should be treated as industry for
the purpose of imposition of ASEB tariff rates and seek
sympathetic consideration.
FINER Appeal for expediting establishment of Industrial Park
FINER has addressed the Assam Industrial Infrastructure
Development Corporation Ltd to expedite setting up of an
Industrial Park in Chaygaon. Referring to the stated objective of
the Assam Industrial Policy, 2003 to make Assam a preferred
destination for investment and to promote generation of
employment, FINER has opined that the establishment of the
Industrial Park would provide the required thrust . Accordingly,
FINER has sought the help of AIIDC to expedite completion of the
project.
FINER seeks Government’s help in clearing outstanding subsidy
claim
FINER in a petition addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam
has appealed to the Govt. to make sufficient funds available for
disbursement of subsidies against the State Industrial Policy so
that industrialization process can be stepped up to achieve the
goal as visioned by the Government. Referring to the Industrial
Policy of Assam, 2003 which clearly defines the thrust areas,
FINER has sought the Government’s help in clearing subsidy claims
at the earliest.
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