Resource mobilisation key component

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 28. Resource mobilisation forms an important component of the financial reforms effective from December 1, undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Rationalisation of electricity rates and revision of transport fare would be effected to make the public sector undertakings financially viable.

Accordingly, as part of steps to manage the revenue deficit of the electricity board, the maximum demand (MD) charge has been increased from Rs.150 to 300 per KVA per month.

However, to reduce the burden on industrial consumers, the existing energy rate has been reduced from Rs.3.40 to Rs.3.20 per unit.

In Chennai, it is reduced from Rs.3.50 to 3.30. In respect of the railways, it would be a flat rate of Rs.4.60 a unit towards energy charge without MD charge.

However, for places of public worship, the existing tariff rate will continue.

For commercial units, the MD charges and energy charges will be increased by Rs.100 per KVA per month and 40 paise per unit respectively.

In respect of HT tariff for supply to Pondicherry, the present rate is to be revised to Rs.3 per unit.

The present rate of 18 and 20 paise pertaining to the rural electric cooperative societies at Vandavasi, Thirumayam and Kumbakonam will be increased to Rs. 1.25 per unit.

For domestic connection coming under low tension tariff, it is proposed to revise the rates on a standardised pattern.

The present minimum and maximum rates will be revised to Re. 1 and Rs.4.50 per unit respectively. Free power supply for farmers and huts was left untouched.

Bus fare revision

Bus fare in metropolitan and other cities will be revised, the first stage rate being Rs.2 and the last (23rd) Rs.10.

The mofussil (ordinary category) fare is to be increased from 22 to 30 paise per km. For ghat section buses, it is revised from 23 to 37 paise per km.

For semi-deluxe express, the rates are revised from 25 to 36 paise per km. The super deluxe express bus fare is revised from 30 to 42 paise per km. The ghat section semi-deluxe express fare is revised from 30 to 42 paise per km.

The ghat section super deluxe fare is revised from 35 to 47 paise per km.

The motor vehicle tax has also been revised. The five year tax meant for ordinary taxi has been revised from Rs.3,500 to 4,000.

The five-year tax for a tourist taxi is revised from Rs.5,000 to 6,500. The quarterly tax meant for a 12-seater maxi cab is revised from Rs.175 to 250.

The quarterly tax meant for 55-seater private service vehicles is revised from Rs.75 to 100. The quarterly tax for the 35-seater omnibus is revised from Rs.2,000 to 3,000.

For lorries with a laden weight of upto 3,000 kg, the existing tax of Rs.545 is revised to Rs.600. For lorries weighing between 3001 and 5500 kg, it is revised from Rs.885 to 950. For those weighing between 5501 and 9000 kg, it is revised from Rs.1,355 to 1,500. For those weighing between 9001 and 12000 kg, it is revised from Rs.1,755 to 1,900.

For those weighing between 12001 and 13000 kg, it is revised from Rs.1,930 to 2,100. For those between 13001 to 15000 kg it is revised from Rs.2,300 to 2,500. For lorries weighing above 15000 kg, the tax is revised from Rs.2,300 (plus Rs.50 for every 250 kg) to Rs.2,500 (plus Rs.100 for every 250 kg).

The life-time-tax for two-wheelers is as follows. For those below 50 CC, it is fixed at Rs.1,000. For those between 51 and 75 CC, it is revised from Rs.1,000 to 1,300. For those between 76 CC to 170 CC, it is revised from Rs.1,750 to 2,200. For those above 170 CC, it increased from Rs.2,340 to 2,500.

Sugar price

As part of revision in the PDS, the retail sale price of sugar is fixed at Rs.13.25 per kg only to families coming under the below poverty line category.

Exports of surplus molasses outside the State will be permitted with a levy of Rs.750 per tonne.

Transparent rules and regulations under the Lotteries Act will be framed to regulate the conduct of other State lotteries.

The ordinary draws of the existing lotteries will be restructured, by increasing the prize payout from the 63 per cent adopted for State lotteries to between 65 and 68 per cent of the total value and reducing the agent selling price from 78 percent to about 75 to 78 per cent while ensuring a minimum of nine per cent returns to the State Government against the existing norm of 15 percent.

The system of bulk-selling agent will be introduced in phases, beginning with the lotteries in the denomination of Re.1.

Action will be initiated to increase cost recoveries of user charges in the higher education sector including enhancing of fees for various courses while giving scholarships to students from poor families.

Modalities would be worked out to ensure that the grants to universities and aided colleges are reduced or frozen at the present levels.

These institutions would be encouraged to recover costs from the students.

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