Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Payal /Chandigarh, The Punjab Congress President Mr Partap Singh Bajwa has opposed to move of the Parkash Singh Badal government to put additional burden ion the people by imposing professional tax to mop up about Rs. 700 crore.
In a statement, Mr Bajwa said rather than cutting down on profligacy and streamlining governance, the people were being made to pay the cost of the luxurious life style of the rulers, increasing corruption and non-governance.
He said the proposal was to impose this tax on the people earning minimum of Rs 5 lakh and above per annum with the lowest tax slab being Rs. 2000. He made it clear this was not acceptable as the incidence of taxation, both direct and indirect, on the people was already high and this tax would prove to be yet another burden.
He asserted this was yet another indication that the Narendra Modi government which happened to be the “own” government of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had refused to provide any bailout package which was badly needed in view of the deepening crisis. There was no denying the fact that resource mobilisation was necessary to undertake development works but then the problem here was inefficiency and corruption at every level. The state was paying heavy interest on the mounting debt which had crossed Rs one lakh crore. The situation had deteriorated to such an extent that the government lacked funds to pay salaries to the staff. He also referred to the non-payment of salaries for the last several months to the teachers of the government aided private colleges in the absence of release of grant to these colleges.
He called upon the government with withdraw this move or be prepared to face the ire of the people. He said in case the Badal government could not improve the life of the people, it should not at least put extra burden on them.
He was accompanied by S. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot MLA, S. Amrik Singh Dhillon MLA, S. Gurkirat Singh Kotli MLA, S. Tej Parkash Singh Ex MLA, S. Lakhvir Singh Lakha President DCC Khanna.
