VAT: Certified seeds exempted from list

The Cabinet has decided to exempt value added tax (VAT) on goods in the military canteens, lungi, towel (Khurda gamuchha) and certified seeds.

In yet another decision, the State Government has set April 2, 2008 as the last date for completion of cooperative polls in the State. The decision was approved by the Cabinet which was presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said since the period for elections to be completed was extended till July 2, 2007, a further period of nine months, has been sought for completion of the polls in the three-tier structure of the cooperative societies by amending the relevant section of the Orissa Cooperative Societies Act.

The process of election is on in full swing as 5,347 societies out of 6,268 in which election is due, have amended their by-laws. Besides, 2,218 societies have elected the managing committee members of which 1,405 societies have elected their presidents.

Tripathy said elections to the primary societies and subsequently to the central and apex societies will be over by March, 2008. It was also decided to amend the Indian Stamp Act to prevent undervaluation in registration of land. The district collector has also been empowered to inquire into cases of undervaluation.

The proposal to amend the GPF Orissa rule to make deposit in GPF optional was also approved. The recommendation of the First National Judicial Pay Commission to create a three-tier cadre for judicial officers was accepted by the Cabinet.

The three cadres will be district judge, senior civil judge and civil judge. The Orissa Superior Judicial Service and the Orissa Judicial Service rules will be amended to implement the recommendation.