KTR supports rich farmers’ right not to be taxed

On Monday, Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao said that the idea of taxing rich farmers is preposterous. The TRS leader was strongly differing from the views expressed by Bibek Debroy, the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister. “Before taxing farmers’ income, can the PMO or EAC first enlighten the nation on what happened to Modi Ji’s promise of doubling farmers’ income by 2022?” KTR asked.

Several commentators described KTR’s sophistry as irrational and muddled. “What specifically is the objection to taxing a farmer if their income exceeds a certain threshold? Is it your position that a farmer earning, say, Rs 10 Cr of profit, should not be taxed?” asked Rishab Mukherjee on Twitter.

A Netizen opined that TRS, KCR and KTR have the tendency to bat for rich farmers. “They did so during the farmers’ agitation in 2020. They supported the rich farmers of Punjab, who benefit immensely from subsidies, at the cost of poor farmers,” a BJP  supporter said.

“By taxing rich farmers, the government can generate revenue that can be used to subsidize poor farmers. Is KTR, who recently hobnobbed with rich industrialists in Davos, opposed to this excellent idea?” a Communist party functionary asked.