Budget mix

In the tax proposals contained in Budget 2006, the FM has disappointed both the corporate and personal income taxpayers by not...

In the tax proposals contained in Budget 2006, the FM has disappointed both the corporate and personal income taxpayers by not abolishing the FBT and the banking cash transaction tax. Similarly, the proposal to tax anonymous donations to charitable/religious institutions at the maximum rate would harm genuine charities. Likewise, the proposed increase of 25 per cent in the securities transaction tax and the increased service tax of 12 per cent will adversely affect the personal budget of most taxpayers. However, the extension of the tax holiday to new industrial parks and power projects will help economic growth and is welcome. Though tax stability has been continued, the taxpayers are disappointed in not getting increase in the threshold for the application of maximum rate of tax.

8212; R.N. Lakhotia, New Delhi

Tracking it right

8226; Finally there seems to be a ray of hope for the Indian Railways and its saviour, the much-criticised Lalu Prasad Yadav. Be it the reduction of AC fares, opening of new counters for the farmers, or adding new boggies to trains, Lalu8217;s budget seems to be inclined to give the Indian Railways not only increased revenue but also a much deserved face lift. It8217;s time the other PSUs take a leaf out of the
railways8217; book.

8212; Abhishek Law, Kolkata

Just one point

8226; While Shekhar Gupta is right on the economic front in his article, 8216;Manmohan Singh8217;s second and related moment in history8217; IE, February 28, I am afraid he is wrong on growing anti-Americanism and rising Islamphobia declining in India. We are still suffering from the consequences of Partition.

8212; Kedarnath Aiyar, Mumbai

Time to fight

8226; Suhel Seth8217;s article, 8216;The cowards we worship8217; IE, February 24, was like a mirror held to what we have become. On reading this, one knows that we are not just onlookers bemoaning the pass things have come to. The fight against the rot has begun already. Today this voice, borne by your paper, has affected me somewhere, making me realise that it is really time we did something about all this.

8212; Mansee Dabral, Mumbai

8226; There are certain issues that arouse feelings that cannot be described in words. The Jessica Lall murder trial is one of them. It is a sad, shameful commentary on the criminal justice system. I am sure this won8217;t be the last instance of its kind. My sympathies are with Jessica8217;s family. How is it that her socialite friends deserted her and her family? For my part as a resident of Chandigarh, from now on I and my small circle of friends are going to boycott the theatre and hotel run by the Sharmas.

8212; Chavi, Chandigarh

Built-up nexus

8226; Jagmohan is absolutely right in pointing out in his piece, 8216;Sonia must protect Nehru8217;s Delhi8217; IE, February 24, the nexus between illegal builders and the political class. He lost his job as urban development minister for advocating the rule of law. At present Sheila Dikshit is facing the
same fate.

8212; A. Prabhakaran, New Delhi