BRS wants PM’s economic advisor sacked for suggesting taxing farmers

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Wednesday demanded the removal of Prime Minister’s economic advisory council chairman Bibek Debroy from the post, for recommending the levy of income tax on farmers.

Addressing mediapersons at the BRS office, MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy alleged that the move was an attempt by the BJP-led government at the Centre to corporatise the agriculture sector.

“Bibek Debroy wrote an article in a newspaper suggesting levying income tax on farmers' income. We strongly believe that Debroy's comments are ‘Mann ki baat’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is the PM's advisor. He cannot make open comments on such a crucial matter without the PM's permission. If PM or BJP government has nothing to do with Debroy's comments, he should be immediately sacked from the post. If not, it will be viewed as PM's views expressed through his advisor,” Palla said.

“Tax was levied on farmers' income during the British regime and when princely states existed in India. The Modi government has been recalling several legislations made during the British regime later followed in free India. How could it go the other way in the matter of taxing farmers’ income?” he said.

He alleged that it was inhuman to levy tax on farmers’ income as a majority of them were still living in poverty for various reasons.

He also came down heavily on Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, accusing her of creating hurdles in the smooth functioning of the government.

“The government knows how to celebrate Republic Day. What's wrong if the Republic Day is celebrated at Raj Bhavan? No office is bigger than the office of Raj Bhavan to celebrate the occasion. It's the state government that makes arrangements at Raj Bhavan,” Palla said.