Why not impose tax for holding free and fair polls, asks HC

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court today asked the West Bengal government why it should not impose taxes for holding free, fair and peaceful elections in the state if it was suffering from a funds crunch.

"Why are taxes not imposed for holding elections if it has a fund crunch?" Justice Biswanath Somadder asked state Advocate General Bimal Chatterjee while hearing a petition by the State Election Commission against the state government over holding of the panchayat elections.

"Every day in the newspapers there is talk of new taxes, so why not taxes for holding elections?" Justice Somadder asked and directed the state to come up with a reply at a later date.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday announced imposition of new taxes to set up a Rs 500 crore relief fund for investors allegedly duped by the Saradha group.

When the AG submitted that it was common knowledge that the state had a resource crunch, Justice Somadder observed "if the resource or lack of resource can hinder holding of free, fair and peaceful elections, why not impose taxes on citizens as it is in their interest that free and fair elections are held."