Cong rule brings Rs.22 K Cr tax burden

The Congress Governments, which took over the reins of administration in
the state after the death of YSR, have continued with their overt and covert
policies of burdening the common man to the tune of Rs.22, 000 Cr through imposition
of taxes, additional charges and surcharges at frequent intervals.

YSR ruled the state for six years without imposing any new taxes or
hiking any utility charges. In comparison, the people are made to suffer and
bear the brunt of hiked taxes and new charges thrice in the last three years
after the death of YSR.

The Government, which has gone astray with internal squabbles and which
has lost control of the administration has raised the power tariff thrice, RTC
charges thrice and brought several sectors under the purview of VAT besides
enhancing the property tax, water tax and motor vehicle tax in the last three
years.

While the hike in power tariff and imposition of surcharge adjustments have
fetched an additional revenue of Rs.13, 022 Cr, the bus charges hike has
brought in Rs.1900 Cr additionally to the state exchequer.

As this is not enough, the extension of VAT to some more sectors is
aimed at fetching revenue of Rs.5000 Cr in excess while the hike in water,
property and motor taxes is expected to enrich the state coffers by an
additional Rs.2100 Cr.

The Government is also going ahead with its plans of imposing additional
taxes to the tune of Rs.6146 Cr in the near future.

Not surprisingly, the state government continues to increase its share
of VAT from the ever increasing prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas
silently let alone think of finding ways to reduce the burden on common man.

The hiking of taxes on various items began in 2010 after Rosaiah took
over as the CM and is continuing even today in the Kirankumar Reddy regime. 

(Updated on Oct 09,2012)