Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: Former minister and senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney, in a statement today reacted strongly against J&K administration’s decision to re-impose water tax on farmers.
He condemned the government move saying it was a cruel decision to re-impose a tax which was abolished to provide relief to the farmers of J&K. This decision taken by the political machinery of the UT will jeopardize the farmers’ future further, as they are already struggling under the weight of other economic and financial distresses. Sawhney urged the BJP to put a stop to its “Tax Raj” and help people recover from the financial mess that has been created by their own policies and decisions.
Speaking on the issue, Sawhney said that the farmers are hugely disappointed by this move and have raised their concerns around how this water tax will have far reaching consequences for them. When it was abolished back in 2015, it was called “the symbol of feudalism” by the then government. However, the government is going to reinstate this very symbol into the society that would further increase the financial burden over our farmers manifold. This will impact the agricultural sector badly and the farmers will be affected the worst.
He said the PHE workers have been constantly fighting for regularisation, enhancement of minimum wages, enhancement of Medical Allowance of the employees and workers, release of pending wages of 70 months and there is no response from the administration. From the privatisation of electricity to the PHE workers’ protests to all, none of the issues have been tackled by the administration in a way that would prioritise people’s needs over the BJP Government’s greed for revenue.
The tax ranges from Rs 400 to Rs 1100 per acre depending on the type of crop being cultivated by the farmer. Most farmers won’t be able to pay it, which is why farmers have risen in opposition to this move in huge numbers. Their demands need to be taken into account by the administration instead of forcefully levying another major tax. This “Aabiyana” is another blow to the farmers and we completely support the farmers in this issue, Sawhney added.
The BJP’s tax system is a nightmare to all sections, starting from the working class, to the businessmen, to now include the farmers in J&K as well. At a time, when farmers need help, the government is introducing such policies only to aggravate the situation further, Sawhney regretted.
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