BJP Govt Pro Rich, Anti Poor: Harsh Dev
Chenani,11-07-2021: While the central BJP Govt announced sops for the big corporate houses and the super-rich by reducing corporate tax by 10%, the economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of society continue to bear the brunt of fast spiralling prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and increased freight and transport charges besides enhanced taxation under the new Motor Vehicles Act, said Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman-JKNPP and former Minister.
He said that it was disturbing to note that while govt had surrendered Rs. 1.45 lakh crores so as benefit the super-rich by reducing the corporate tax from 35% to 25% in 2019-20, it had failed to slash the excise duty and road cess on diesel and petrol whose sky-rocketing prices constituted the most menacing threat to the pockets of the common man. He said that a rapid increase in the prices of articles of daily use posed a threat to the very survival of the poor and underprivileged especially in a situation when the country faced a massive economic slowdown. He was addressing public meetings in villages Jakhed, Sarota, Nepah, Bandoi and Kullakh of Chenani constituency on the 3rd day of his tour.
Terming the BJP Govt as pro-rich and anti-poor, Mr. Singh said that rising prices posed the most meaningful threat to the pockets of the common man. While the salaries and wages and other earnings of the people have failed to keep pace with the raging inflation, the poor and marginalized sections have been brought on the verge of starvation, observed the NPP Chairman.
While on the one hand, the BJP led govt managed to get a grant of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore from the reserves of RBI during 2018-19, its surrender of Rs. 1.45 lakh crore in favour of super-rich only amounted to stealth from the common man to give it to the rich, affluent and powerful, maintained Mr. Singh. He said that while ordinary citizens earning 10 lakh have to pay 30% income tax but those earning profits of thousands of crores would have to pay only 25% on their earnings as effective corporate tax. He remarked that steps like demonetization, shoddy implementation of GST and drastic reduction of corporate tax are measures that have addressed only the politics of the ruling party rather than the economy of the nation which continues to take a downward slide. And in the process, the rich are getting rich and the poor, poorer, observed Harsh.
Seeking early up-gradation of Mantalai–Dudu road, Mr. Singh sought early construction/completion of various link roads connecting the main road with various villages of Latti Tehsil. He urged upon the Lt. Governor to personally intervene for ensuring proper internet connectivity to the various villages of Dudu and Latti Blocks by providing mobile towers on priority in view of massive losses caused to students, youths, businessmen and common masses.
