Expressing disappointment over absence of any relief for the salaried class in the Union budget, DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitely to increase the income-tax ceiling in his reply to the debate in Parliament.
In a statement here, he said there was a widespread expectation that the ceiling would be increased at least to Rs. 3.5 lakh from Rs. 2.5 lakh at present. Mr. Karunanidhi said while the announcement that the growth would be 7.4 per cent was a matter of relief, the government should take genuine efforts to implement the scheme to provide housing for all.
Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan said, “The budget is lacking in proactive polices. While the absence of concessions in income-tax ceiling for individual tax payers was disappointing, putting the country on a faster trajectory of growth remains only on paper.”
TNCC president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan said, “The proposal for strong punishment of 10 years imprisonment for not paying income tax is a good move, as lack of awareness is the main reason for a majority not paying income tax.”
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the budget had exposed the total dependence of the Centre on foreign corporates and investors for funds.
