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The case for taxing rich farmers

| TNN | Feb 2, 2025, 03:07 IST

Rajesh Shukla, founder of People Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE), explains how wealthy farmers — who make up only 2.8% of total rural households — can contribute thousands of crores to income tax every year. That will, hopefully, lighten the burden on salaried income taxpayers and improve the lot of poorer farmers. Here’s who these wealthy — but non-income-taxpaying — farmers are:

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Top Comment

Sanjay Singh

2 days ago

Rubbish. Max farmers of less developed Regions of Eastern parts in UP, Bihar, Chattisgarh, WB, NE States, Odissa etc are economically distressed as compared to Farmers of Punjab Haryana Western UP and other Western/Southern, more developed States. Standard of living of Big Farmers in backward India is less than a salaried Clerk and small business men. They own lands passed on by generations after family divisions. They have been selling land for education, medical needs, car etc etc for family members. They are dependent upon vagaries of Nature as there is no irrigation, canals etc like in Punjab Haryana etc. They are barely able to live with dignity. Post independence there are two different types of farmers..one close to Developed Towns n Cities in Developed States and other in less developed backward India. By taxing them you will make their life more miserable. People born and brought up in Cities and Towns simply don't the real facts. Why Bihar, Eastern UP etc. so called BIMARU States were not not developed like others. If one part of the body remains weak the whole body will be weak and nothing can be sustained. Tax payers are few but are fortunate as they got the opportunity. A Big farmer in backward State manages to educate younger brother who becomes a clerk in Bank. Just compare their living standards. Even a small road side businessman or a Taxi owner in big Cities has better standard of living than a so called big farmer. Catch those business men and Tax payers who after earning big by tax evasion in Cities have also bought huge Farms from distressed farmers. See how a business man staying in Worli pays less tax or shows no profit, books all expenses in company. How a city contractor earns big and avoids Tax.... Provide alternate livelihood for farmers before taxing. As it is there holdings is getting decreased generation after generation unlike a business family. If you Tax they will have to sell land to give that tax

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