No - 5
Unprofessionally Professional:
We all have to pay a tax called 'Professional Tax'. And what is so professional about it? It is a tax imposed by the state governments in India to have a share of the direct income of the people working in the state. The amount is small and is exempt up to `2500/. There are a few rudimentary questions to ask about the legitimacy and fairness about this tax.
How easy it is to pay this tax? Do we have to pay bribes to be eligible to pay this tax? How is this tax used by the state? Why does the centre not share the income tax with the state in a fair and transparent manner? Does this nuisance of tax increase corruption? What is the definition of a Professional?
We understand that the governments need to collect taxes to manage the state. But as citizens we need to understand the rationale behind every Rupee we pay as tax. First of all, calling it a professional tax is a shame. There is nothing so professional about our little citizens earning higher than `2500/ per month to be labelled as professionals in the government books. Paying this tax is a pain. The company needs to fill in some inscrutable forms and maintain such arduous records. Invariably you have grease palms to get this Professional Tax registered. In other words, you have to pay bribes to pay this tax. Of course, there are consultants who would do this dirty job for you for a fee. If you slip, the the municipality babus will make merry on your misery - especially the perverse pleasure of sitting in the office and interrupting your work while munching away pan or guthka like hungry cows, while slurping away on the syrupy and muddy tea potions.
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