Group proposes single transaction tax; BJP studying proposal

NEW DELHI: In a radical proposal, a hitherto unknown research group has suggested abolition of all direct and indirect taxes for individuals as well as corporates in favour of a nominal transaction tax only for receipts, which is being studied by main opposition party BJP.

While some BJP leaders have already talked about such a proposal, its main proponent, Pune-based Arthkranti Pratisthan, today claimed that this system would actually help grow India's tax revenues nearly three times from about Rs 14 lakh crore currently to over Rs 40 lakh crore.

A senior BJP leader, however, said that it was one of the many proposals currently on table for preparation of the party's Vision-2025 document, and a final decision would be taken only after taking into accounts suggestions from various quarters on Arthkranti's proposals.

The party expects to take a final decision before the general elections, he said. First, the party's vision committee would take a call on this and the same would be thereafter sent to BJP's Parliamentary Committee for final decision, the leader said, while adding that the proposals are being studied currently.

The proposal has been submitted to BJP's Vision 2025 committee, which is headed by former party president Nitin Gadkari. This committee is working on reforms in five broad categories -- judiciary, education, police, administration and tax.

While making presentation before journalists on their proposals, representatives of Arthkranti claimed here that they have also made presentations before others including Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party, while they are also approaching IAS officers and industrialists.

They also said that Arthkranti has been in touch for about five years with Baba Ramdev, who also recently talked about such radical taxation proposals.