Tax deal: For aam aadmi, says Cong; BJP wary

The Congress welcomed Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s proposed income tax regime as one that will benefit the aam aadmi, particularly the middle and the lower middle classes. HT Correspondent reports.

The Congress welcomed Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s proposed income tax regime as one that will benefit the aam aadmi, particularly the middle and the lower middle classes.

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The BJP, on the other hand, reserved its detailed response until a thorough study – but, nevertheless, saw it as an affirmation of its own election manifesto’s pledge to raise the tax limit.

The Left, however, thought the proposals as a move to please the middle class.

“While the increase in the income tax limit will directly benefit the common man, its spin-offs will also bring immense benefits to him,’’ said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

BJP’s Prakash Javadekar, “We have always favoured lower tax regime to give relief to all sections of people, as promised in our election manifesto. Ultimately, we must see what benefits actually flow to the people. We would also want the changes to come into effect earlier than 2011.”

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said: “Don’t look at the new tax code sectorally and in piecemeal. It’s holistic design will undoubtedly achieve brevity, clarity, simplicity, stability, consistency and a far more effective complaint regime.’’

CPI leader D. Raja said, “The government has tried to please the middle class, though it remains to be seen in times of recession how much benefit would finally be there.”