TIME TO SOUND A WARNING

It's time the Finance Minister was frank and told the people and the Prime Minister that he has to withdraw standard deduction, the deduction under section 80L, rebates under Sections 88, 88B and 88C, and retain dividend tax under the Income Tax Act because the Government's interest liability in the year 2003-2004 has increased to Rs.1,25,000 crores-50 percent of its revenue receipts. The pension bill of the Government has gone up to Rs.24,000 crore from Rs.3,211 crore and it had to borrow Rs.70,000 crore in 2001-2002 for its day-to-day expenses. The entire plan is financed from borrowings and debts which have gone up from Rs.3 lac crore in 1991-92 to Rs.15 lacs crore. India is headed for the debt trap and future generations will not pardon the Finance Minister if he remains silent and fails to act while presenting the Budget this time.

VASANT J. DESAI
AHMEDABAD.

DATE : 31/01/2003.
INDIAN EXPRESS.

BOYCOTT MPs.

The annual report of the ministry for parliamentary affairs says that the Rajya Sabha met for 71 hours during its 186th session and 36 hours were lost through interruptions adjournments and disorderly scenes. About 1/5th of the time of the 4th session of 12th Lok Sabha was lost due to similar reasons.

According to press reports, last year Budget was voted and approved in less than half an hour in the Lok-Sabha spent about five minutes for approving the Budget of Rs.3,00,000 crore of public money.

Every member of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha should have seen proceedings of impeachment of US President Clinton and learnt lessons of good behaviour and speech from members of the House of representatives of the US even in the most emotional, explosive situations. Citizens of India must show their protest to the MPs conduct by boycotting them socially by not inviting them to preside over any meeting or function, and not attending any functions where and MP is to deliver a lecture.

VASANT J. DESAI
AHMEDABAD.

DATE : 19/09/2000.
TIMES OF INDIA.