FGG seeks end to state-funded IT for CM, mins

Hyderabad: The Forum for Good Governance questioned the state govt's practice of paying the income tax for the chief minister, deputy CM, ministers, and others holding cabinet rank. The forum has called this arrangement unconstitutional and requested its immediate termination.
Citing the Andhra Pradesh Payment of Salaries and Pensions and Removal of Disqualification Act, 1953, the FGG wrote a letter to the chief secretary, highlighting that the income tax of ministers and top officials should not be funded by the state exchequer. The letter, signed by M. Padmanabha Reddy, president of FGG, argues that this practice violates the principle of equality before the law and imposes an undue burden on public funds.
"The income tax of the CM and other ministers is being paid from taxpayer money, which is against the principle of equality before the law," he said. The forum also alleged errors in tax calculations by the general administration department, citing the 2014-15 financial year, when Rs 15.3 lakh in income tax was paid on behalf of the CM, despite his taxable salary being only Rs 2.8 lakh.
Reddy said that public funds should not be used for personal income tax, especially when tax calculations were erroneous. The forum urged the CS to investigate the discrepancies and disclose the total tax paid for ministers, stressing that several states have stopped this practice.