Finance Minister K.M. Mani has said the CPI(M)’s call not to pay taxes goes against the interest of the State. Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Mr. Mani said that even during the freedom struggle, non-payment of taxes was viewed as an instrument of last resort by the leaders.
Against democracy
‘‘But CPI(M) leaders are using it against a democratically elected popular government,” he said. “If any sections of the people have any difficulty, the government is ready to resolve it through discussion,” he said. The Minister chose to downplay the impact of the increase in taxes and said it was only nominal.
The tax hike for cigarette, wine, beer, and liquor was not going to have any negative impact on the common man, Mr. Mani said.
“In fact, women are going to welcome the move,” he said. The increase in water tariff would affect only those who used more than 10,000 litres, he said.
This meant that only the rich would be taxed in this regard. On the issue of increase in land tax, Mr. Mani said it was he who had brought down the land tax to the present level.
“When we increase the present rate, it means only a section which was enjoying tax benefit was losing it,” he said. The hike in land tax was also nominal, he said.
He said the government was forced to increase taxes on account of the increasing financial burden it had to bear following the decision to invest in mega projects which were not provided for in the budget.
“There is no crisis, but only difficulty,” he said.
