BJP, Left take govt to task on Finance Bill

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) The opposition BJP today took the government to task on various provisions of the 2006-2007 Budget proposals and damanded a fresh look at the income tax rates.

BJP member Yashwant Sinha, a former Finance Minister, initiating discussion on the Finance Bill, said some proposals made in the budget would create problems for the Housing sector and many small scale industries had been brought under the tax net.

He took a dig at the government for lowering tax on 'pasta' from 16 per cent to nil while on Indian foods from 16 to 8 per cent saying the duty on foods of some ''high-end users'' had been brought to nil.

Mr Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) cautioned against being euphoric about the sensex touching 11,000 and wanted the government to have closer scrutiny of how to mop up resources from the stock market.

He said that across the board reduction in customs duty would adversely affect the domestic consumer and ruin domestic industry.

Mr C Perumal (AIADMK) wanted a review of all taxaton laws to make them simpler. He said that concessions announced for farmers were just an eyewash.

Mr Ram Muni Reddy (TDP) demanded minimum guarantee price for farmers instead of minimum support price and urged the government to come out with a roadmap for improving irrigation in consultation with all political parties.

He also called for resolution of all outstanding differences between states on the water issue and said inter-linking of rivers should be speeded up. He also demanded a separate budget on agriculture.

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