NAWANSHEHAR: A new transparent excise policy brought in by the SAD-BJP government has led to a record increase of revenue to the tune of Rs 141 crore in a year in the state. This was disclosed by Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Excise and Taxation, Jagdish Sahni here today.

Sahni who was talking to media persons at the office of BJP district president Ashwani Ballaggan maintained that this increase was many times the increase that was ever witnessed during the five year rule of Capt Amrinder Singh government. Maintaining that the Badal government was committed to the welfare of all sections of the society, the CPC further revealed that decrease in VAT for small traders with Rs 5 to 50 lakh turnover from 2 per cent to .25 per cent though costing the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 8 crore annually, was expected to benefit nearly 75 per cent of the traders in Punjab.

Putting an end to the 'inspector raj' in the state was another pro-trader measure initiated by the Badal government, said Sahni who urged the trading community now to play their part in the development of the state by honestly paying their taxes. He added that the state government would stress on maintaining parity between the urban and rural sectors while launching development programmes. He revealed that their alliance had already started preparing for the ensuing elections to the local bodies in the state.

To a query on the issue of post of Deputy CM for a candidate from BJP, Sahni said that though  the party had a strong claim to the post, it was not going to make it an issue. District president Ballaggan said that the SAD-BJP combine would fulfill all the poll promises made to the people.