Kerala to go ahead with tax hike

In spite of the hardening of position by the Opposition and apprehension expressed by some of his own colleagues, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday reiterated his resolve to go ahead with the decision to hike taxes in key areas.

Talking to mediapersons who met him here on the sidelines of private function, Mr. Chandy said if the government knew how to take a decision, it also knew who to implement it. “We do not take decisions after getting approval from the Opposition,” he said. “This is not a case of being stubborn. If there is apprehension in any quarters, we are ready to discuss,” he said. Mr. Chandy said there were no two opinions either in the Congress or the UDF on the issue. “This was a decision taken unanimously.” .