In the bold article, ‘We should tax agriculture. But how?’ Madan Sabnavis rightly suggests tax reforms. Compared to indirect tax which is paid by each and every consumer, many manipulate to avoid paying direct tax. Instead of having slabs in IT rates, collection of IT can be based on a progressive rate starting from 1 per cent or so. Direct tax should be collected seamlessly from everyone by doing away with relief, exemption, etc which only provide scope for manipulation. All income generation should attract income tax, however small the income.
The Government, the I-T department and the finance minister should arrive at the best way of enlarging the tax base en masse, but in a progressive manner based on quantum level. Nil tax may only be enjoyed by the unemployed.
RS Raghavan
Bengaluru
Taxing every economic activity is not as tough as it is made out to be provided. Agriculture in India is believed to be weak and given sympathetic treatment by every government. But now it’s been taken over by politically-motivated mafia. Therefore a lot of illegal transactions happen.
The foremost task is to create land records for every farmer. The move now to create e-mandis will bring some sense to agriculture prices. Once output sale comes under the scanner input can’t continue to remain hidden. The subsidy component can be treated as tax deductible.
RK Arya
Faridabad, Haryana
Writing on the wall
AM Jigeesh makes a spirited argument in ‘Can’t write off AAP just yet’ (From the Viewsroom, May 3). The AAP leadership appears to have become nervous after the humiliating defeat in the Delhi civic elections. The writing on the wall is clear; attacking the Government in general and the PM in particular boomeranged.
HP Murali
Bengaluru
The K question
The peace process will work only if the Kashmiris are prepared to find a solution within the framework of our Constitution. India’s generosity and tolerance of Pakistan’s anti-India activities have led it to believe that India is a soft state. India took the Kashmir issue to the UN but the global community has not responded.
YG Chouksey
Pune
Self-help is best
The beheading and mutilation of Indian soldiers by the Pakistani army and its non-state affiliates is not a new phenomenon. The Pakistani army denies involvement in the atrocity, but the fact remains that it carried out heavy shelling to provide cover for those who perpetrated the act to cross over across the LoC. Even their press which is always belligerent when the Kashmir issue comes up, is silent. The silence of world nations to the beheading is proof that, ultimately, India has to pursue its interests on its own. There is little likelihood of Pakistan being isolated by other countries or even being told to back off.
KS Jayatheertha
Bengaluru
January to December
The Madhya Pradesh government is the first to change the financial year from April-March to January-December. What if the academic year also starts from January 1? Instead of giving summer holidays, there could be monsoon holidays. Else, if all the examinations are concluded before December, students can be given holidays from January. A 15-day break during the peak of summer can also be given.
The government-appointed committee headed by former chief economic adviser Shankar Acharya has recommended a changeover to January-December. If all the States follow suit and the Centre too falls in line , the financial year can start on January 1 and end on December 31. The April-March financial year is a legacy of British rule.Chartered accountants are of the view that the change will not impact the common man. But the taxation period will change. Girish Vanvari, head of tax, KPMG India advocates that the financial year and tax year be the same. A change in the accounting period will automatically change the date and month of presentation of the budget .
KV Seetharamaiah
Hassan, Karnataka
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Send your letters by email to bleditor@thehindu.co.in or by post to ‘Letters to the Editor’, The Hindu Business Line, Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002.