Every citizen of India has the right to express his/her views provided it doesn’t hamper the peace and freedom of others. In later paragraphs I am about to discuss some pertinent issues but given the gravity of the situation as the present economic crisis (in some countries officially declared recession) corrective actions should be taken at its earliest.
Agricultural Income – Why not Taxed?
India is a country where 85% of its population was dependent on agriculture at the time of independence. Majority of the population lived in villages. They were involved in the production of food grains without using modern implements. Naturally there income and life style was below standard. After six decades the figure has come down to 60 % and modern farming has been started for long. The agriculture output comprises almost 25% of our total Gross Domestic Product.
The situation of farmers has not improved, because of many reasons: over dependence on the farm, low land holdings, disguised unemployment, lack of storage facility, lack of irrigation facility, etc. Now everyone is bound to say that these fellows are leading their lives under pathetic conditions, their income is minimal and they should not be levied tax on their income.
But I say that income from agriculture should be taxed as we collect tax from business men, service class etc. I have valid reasons to support my views. First have a look at the poor who is involved as a labourer in a factory, or running a road side shop, or pulling rikshaw. Their condition is sub standard just like poor kisans. We are a progressive society and not taxing the disadvantaged. Now have a look at the lavish styles of big farmers, and sprawling farmhouses owned by them. The valuable properties in their hands are full of luxuries, and their income runs into crores. Think at this juncture; they should be taxed or not? Yes, of course.
The exemption of agricultural income under income tax rules has no significance for the poor. But definitely it provides unnecessary cushion to the big farmers with massive land holdings. They are getting tax exemption and exchequer is losing revenue all in the name of poor kisan. Then why we are practicing this system for so long? For this check the ownership of few farm houses. We get the clue. Almost all the politicians have a number of farmhouses and the income from this is fully exempt from tax. This is surely a political drama not a pro poor policy.
We are subsidising the rich
The subsidies and financial help of any kind to the poor make good sense. It helps the people have a taste of opportunities if they have missed the bus. It also provides a social equilibrium. India provides many types of subsidies in the areas of basic commodities like food, energy resources, education, medical facilities and input costs to agriculture and industry. The government gives subsidy to oil and gas companies to sell their produce at affordable prices. Education is funded by the government so that more number of men and women could provide their energies to the development of society. Subsidy is given to fertilizer producing companies so that the market price of this important input of farm comes down. Ration is provided on minimal prices to those living below the poverty line.
Some financial assistance is provided to selected few and some subsidies are provided above board. Subsidy towards oil and other energy resources is provided to all. Likewise every one can get benefited from the government funded education system. Some help like low prices on ration is provided to BPL families.
Subsidy to all irrespective of economic condition means assistance to the rich too. Petrol, electricity, gas etc. are sold at lesser prices to the people who can very well afford to pay more. The government funded schools are a complete failure. The well to do parents sends their children to the private schools while the poor children languish in the sarkari schools. These two groups of high school graduates compete for a seat in the universities and institutes of higher learning. The city slickers and students from convent and other private schools get admission in places of repute. The students from sarkari schools are thrown in colleges where professors go to mark attendance, and students to fill the forms and sit in the examinations. The higher education is largely funded by the government. Best part of these fund go fulfil the needs of students from well off families.
For how long we will continue this practice of subsidising the rich? Subsidy and financial help should be provided to only economically backward section. The haves should be provided things at par. Money thus saved should be channelled to give things to the poor at discount.
Remove rotten British traditions
The British came here with their ethnicity and habits. They developed the Indian administrative system with their national interests. The army, bureaucracy, courts, commerce and education were designed in British style. Army parades, civil administration, court proceedings, trading relations and university convocations all carried their traditions to India.
Before the arrival of our foreign masters we had our own system of maintaining army, carrying through court orders and trading patterns. We managed our seats of higher learning. All these institutions had their rituals and ways of doing things. As the saying goes the victors crush everything related to the defeated. Indian system of court, administration, education etc. was abhorred by them. They changed everything Indian. In the words of Pandit Nehru, “Like shadows on a stage these high officials continued to function in their old way, trying to impress us with their elaborate imperial ritual, their court ceremonies, their durbars and investitures, their parades, their dinners and evening dresses, their pompous utterances.”
He further says, “But new standards had arisen, different values had been created, and now this elaborate show was the subject of jest and ridicule.” After independence we continued with their style. The world has changed a lot. But our administration, courts, police, army, universities lack willingness to adopt new designs and style to perform the things at their disposal in a better way. Even the customs and styles in England have changed but we are living with inertia.The British rule has given us many good things. Only I want to say is to remove rotten and harmful conduct. See the high handedness of police, long delays in court proceedings, and all prevalent corruption and babu culture. All these have British origin. These evils of our society should be changed for the better.
