VAT exemption for central police, paramilitary forces in U''kd

Dehra Dun, Aug 3 (PTI) Uttarakhand cabinet today decided to give VAT exemption on daily commodities being sold through canteens of central police and paramilitary forces. Briefing newspersons after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, Chief Secretary N S Napalchyal said the state government has decided to extend the benefit of VAT exemption on daily commodities to the canteens of these central forces like ITBP, SSB and CRPF on the lines of army.The decision would cost the state exchequer Rs 10 lakh annually, he added. Napalchyal, however, said there would be no VAT exemption for liquor. The state cabinet also gave its nod to modernise 11 roadways bus stations under PPP mode. In the first phase, four bus stations of Srinagar, Ramnagar, Kashipur and Rudrapur would be developed at a cost of Rs 29 crore.Uttarakhand cabinet also approved Rs 2 crore as its equity capital for Uttarakhand Pariyojna Vikas evam Nirman Nigam, a new corporation to be set up for the development of hydropower projects, Napalchyal said. The corporation would be in addition to Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) and mainly comprise employees of state irrigation department, he said, adding, there would be 150 employees in the corporation. Initially the corporation would develop two hydropower projects--- 70 Mw Aarakoti-Tyuni and 66 Mw Tyuni-Plasu. Its headquarters would be in Dehradun, he added. The cabinet also gave approval to fill the posts of 225 lecturers and 19 heads of department in state polytechnics.

PTI