The service tax has risen its ugly head and Gen-Y is not too thrilled about it
A file photograph
While most look forward to the beginning of the month for salary day, some seemed to be in doldrums, thanks to the service tax that has been hiked to from 12.36 to 14 per cent from this month. A city that’s devoid of decent gardens, beaches or lakes leaves youngsters with hardly any entertainment options. No wonder our city pubs, restaurants and theatres are packed to the rafters.
We speak to young Bengalureans on what they feel about digging deeper into their pockets now for eating out, mobile bills, booking a cab, staying at a hotel, travelling by air, booking a marriage venue, getting pampered at a salon and spa and indulging in other leisure activities. Hike in service tax is going to pinch a lot more youngsters as Harsh Chauhan, a model and an MBA student at St Joseph’s College, rues, “I like to be well groomed, but now I have to shell out more for going to a salon. Also, a lot of my work is done with phone internet, but now browsing will be dearer. Even watching movies or going for a drink will cost more. I will be very selective now in dining out and won’t even think of giving any tips. I have already asked my parents to give me extra pocket money.”
Another MBA student from the city, Ramanmeet Singh, adds unabashedly, “Service tax is a good thing as we pay for the services provided to us, but it shouldn’t be too much that it pinches us students. While it won’t affect the middle or the upper class, we college going students or those just beginning their careers will have to watch out on small indulgences.”
“It pains me to see the amount of taxes that keep increasing. I study at an engineering college in the city and fly down to meet my parents during holidays. Now my flight tickets will be costlier. Also we like to treat ourselves every weekend, but it will pinch us now and we have to cut down on our outings,” admits Shantanu Gupta, a student of MS Ramaiah engineering college.
But Revathy Siga, a marketing professional with a bank, states in a matter-of-fact manner, “The hike in the service tax is part of proposals made by the government to facilitate smooth transition in GST and might not affect many of us, but I feel sad for the students and the common man.”
( Source : dc )
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