NCJCM – General Budget 2018 -19: Letter to Hon’ble Minister

No.NC/JCM/2018

Dated: February 2, 2018

Hon’ble Finance Minister,
Ministry of Finance,
(Government of India),
North Block,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: General Budget 2018 -19

We hope that, standard deduction, up to Rs.40,000 in the Budget (2018-19) announcement, was provided to give some relief to the salaried class, but at the same time, there is serious resentment in the salaried class in general and the Central Government Employees in particular because of non-enhancement of limit of the Income Tax.

We were hopeful that, in this budget, the Central Government would provide Income Tax exemption, if not Rupees Five Lakh, definitely Four Lakh, but nothing has been done, which has resulted in desperation in the Government Employees. Moreover, Education Cess has been increased from 3% to 4%, which will further put additional tax burden on the salaried class. In such a situation standard deduction given by the government will definitely not going to help to any salaried employees.

Not only the above, Transport Allowance and Medical Reimbursement, used to exempt earlier, have also been stopped in this budget 2018, has given another blow to the salaried class.

Since there is all-round resentment in the salaried class, it would be in all appropriateness if the Income Tax Exemption is enhanced to minimum Rupees Four Lakh.

Sir, Government Employees are also very eagerly awaiting for improvement in the Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula as well as announcement of the Guaranteed Pension to the employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS). These also need to be given top priority to keep industrial peace among the Government Employees.

It is also requested that, Transport Allowance and Medical Reimbursement, almost exempted from the Income Tax, should also remain exempted from the Income Tax, to give some relief to the government employees in distress.

With Kind Regards!

Sincerely yours

S/d,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary (Staff Side)
National Council (JCM)

Source: NCJCM