budget wish list

I am a regular reader of the Hindu and Business Line. I am a Joint Secretary in the Tamilnadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturer's Association, Sivakasi and an Executive Committee member of the Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce, Madurai. My article on 'Dark Side to Free Power for Farmers' was published in the Business Line in the month of June,08. and 'Case for redesigning election system' has been published on 13th instant

2009 BUDGET WISH LIST

The Government of India's most popular poverty elimination program under The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has achieved fair success despite claims of corruption and minimal tangible benefits. The government should allocate funds to engage not only NGOs but also various reputed chambers of commerce with large membership, their federations to evolve various social audit schemes to effectively monitor not only the NREGA programs but also other social welfare projects and infrastructure development works such as rural and urban road projects which are prone to spillage and siphoning of public funds.

 Rashtriya Swasthya Bheema Yojana the health insurance scheme, envisaged in the earlier budget, for the below poverty line people has not yet taken off. Immediate priority should also be given to launch more affordable health insurance scheme for working middle class in the private sector. The Government should see to its effective implementation both in letter and spirit.

 The cess on the sale of petrol and diesel for funding of the projects of National Highway Authority of India is a laudable route for generation of revenue. More such inescapable routes should be relied on to fund massive projects of the Government than depending on taxes. The present sales turnover limit of Rs.40 lakhs for compulsory tax audit should be enhanced to Rs.1 Crore.

S.Srinivasan,

Joint Secretary,

Tamilnadu Fireworks & Amorces Manufacturers' Association, Sivakasi