BJP to give suggestions on Kelkar panel proposals to govt

NEW DELHI: With the Kelkar Committee report on direct and indirect taxes coming under attack at the BJP National Executive, the party has decided to give its suggestions to the government after further discussions.
"The party would give comprehensive proposals to the government on the basis of the recommendations made by the seven-member committee set up by the party headed by general secretary Rajnath Singh," party spokesman Arun Jaitley told reporters here on Tuesday.
The report, which was discussed on Monday, saw members demanding retention of tax benefits for middle-class, farmers and the small-scale industries, with an eye on the Assembly elections in 10 states.
"Members wanted tax benefits for the middle class, farmers, senior citizens and small-scale industries," party sources said.
They felt that the Kelkar Task Force recommendations were "tilted towards the corporate sector and big business houses and had no benefit for the middle and working classes, senior citizens and women taxpayers�, sources said.
There was strong opposition to the Kelkar panel''s suggestions to do away with tax exemption on housing loans as it felt that this would affect the construction industry which has been doing well despite the economic downturn, they said.