Port Blair, Feb 01: The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, A & N Islands expresses strong protest on various proposals to increase burden on Employees & Workers through Union Budget 2018-19. The proposal by Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley to increase the existing 3% Education cess by 4% “Health & Education Cess” is a bolt from blue for Employees & Workers. From this decision alone, the Government is expected to squeeze out a staggering Rs.11000 Crores from Tax Payers.
The Govt. Employees & all other sections of Working Class are disappointed by the decision to continue the Income Tax slabs denying any relief to them. Also the introduction of “Standard Deduction” of Rs.40000/- for the salaried class is an eye wash, as it is replacing the present exemptions in respect of Transport Allowance (Rs.19200) and Medical Reimbursement (Rs. 15000/-) totalling Rs. 34200/-
It is a matter of concern that the very government which rejected the demand of Central Government employees for a pay revision every five (05) year has now decided to revise the pay of Members of Parliament every 05 year.
This last full budget of Modi Government before next General Election reflects, once again, its commitment to Corporate Sector and Foreign interest. The decision to curtail Corporate tax of all enterprises with a profit upto Rs. 250 Crores to 25% underlines the policy and direction of present NDA government. The Central Government does not seek to mobilize revenue by increasing direct taxes from the rich 1% of the population who garnered 73% wealth of the nation. The expenditure on agriculture and rural development, as percentage of GDP, is reduced from 1.15 to 1.08. So the budget is Pro-rich and anti-employees.
The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association expresses its strong resentment on the proposals of Union Budget 2018-19 and demands amendments in the interest of Middle Class and working people.
