Ahead of presentation of union finance budget 2023-24, Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference(JK-BADC), a registered organization working for the welfare of residents of border areas have urged the Union government to provide special tax relief to the residents of border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and include these provisions in the upcoming budget. BADC in its appeal submitted that the people of border areas whether living near the Line of Control(LoC) or International border are facing miseries for over 75 years and it is imperative that union government provide them succor and relief in shape of special tax rebates.
Dr Shazad Ahmed Malik, former Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the BADC stated that people of Border areas lag behind with rest of the population of mainland of the country in comparison to the facilities and resources available with the latter therefore his organization demands that the employees, businessmen and entrepreneurs of border areas be given special tax rebates in GST and Income Tax.
The BADC Chairman appealed the Prime Minster Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to consider this genuine appeal of the residents of the border areas considering their plight. Dr Shahzad also said the local contractors and suppliers of the border areas should also be given priority at least in awarding minor works so that they earn their livelihood at their doorsteps. Pleading for the students of border area he stated that the students hailing from border areas must also get reservation and discount on admission fees in national universities and institutions of eminence to give them equal and fair opportunities.
