Traders, businessmen condemn cash scheme

March 9: The Telugu Desam president Mr Chandrababu Naidu’s proposed money transfer scheme has not gone down well with the business community and the employees’ organisations in the state.
Businessmen and employee unions fear that the scheme would increase the tax burden on them.
The scheme, which promises to give between Rs 1,000 and 2,000 each month to beneficiaries, needs at least Rs 18,000 crore.
The state government has already enhanced the tax revenue estimates by 20 per cent for 2009-2010. The government collected Rs 35,739 crore in 2008-09.
“People will ultimately be the victim. This is because the business establishments will pass on the burden to the final consumers. Such schemes will benefit only a few but will cause resentment among many,” said a representative of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Employee organisations also fear that the staff would be “harassed to meet enhanced financial targets.” Revenue generating departments such as commercial taxes, excise, APIIC, APHB, HMDA, municipal and urban development will have a tough time.
The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Employees’ Association president, Mr V. Gopala Reddy, said, “the administration cannot concentrate on developmental activity if such populist schemes are implemented.”