Journalism of Courage
We are still thinking. No decision has yet been taken on the petrol tax yet, said Chavan commenting on the states decision to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol. When the global economy slows down,it affects India. Rupee has been sliding. We had to increase petrol prices. Subsidies are a challenge and I am sure the Finance Minister is handling it well, he said during his address. Chavans statement is no different than the stand which he reportedly took about two days ago wherein he had said that the state is in need of funds. At present,we have Rs 76,000-77,000 crore worth ongoing projects in the state. Whereas the budget available is only 7,000-8,000 crore. Thus,decisions have to be taken with priorities to certain aspects like drinking water. The decision to release water was released from Sina-Kolegaon Dam near Paranda in Osmanabad for Solapur,with an assurance that the water would be used only for drinking and not for agricultural purposes, Chavan said. Commenting on the white paper on irrigation which is to be released shortly,Chavan said,The purpose of the paper is not finger pointing,but to move ahead.
