Now that the Budget 2007 is out, it is crystal clear that the Petition sent by Dignity Foundation to PM, FM and other Ministers have been totally ignored by the people responsible for preparing the budget. To add insult to injury FM has shown more concern for Dogs than the Senior Citizens. The tax collections have increased by around 35% in the current year as compared to the last year. Instead of rewarding the tax payers for increased tax compliance the FM has done the opposite. An additional 1% education cess is being imposed in addition to existing 2% in the name of education. Why the education cannot be funded from the total revenue collected by the Government from taxes?

It is pertinent to note that FM has not included legal services in the Service Tax net, because he also practices law when he is not in his present avatar. What surprises me most is that the elected representatives (MPs) belonging to ruling UPA government are mute spectators to the injustice being inflicted on the 'Aam Junta' by the FM. Are they not failing in their duty towards their voters, who sent them to Parliament? The only way to protect your self is not to vote for these MPs, who are spineless and mute spectators.

However I suggest that Dignity Foundation should immediately send a copy of Petition to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of UPA with a request to ensure that the concerns of Senior Citizens are addressed before passing of the Finance Bill 2007. If this also fails then the legal recourse may be taken.

M K Pande

Editor: The Petition has been set to Smt. Sonia Gandhi also. No reply.