New Delhi, constitution of 8th pay commission, increase in tax rebate for salaried classes and restoration of old pension scheme are some of the key demands raised by union leaders during a pre-budget meeting with the minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman, on Monday.
The unions also asked the government to stop the privatization drive of PSUs, scrap the new pension scheme and restore the old pension scheme (OPS).
"The ceiling for refund of income tax for the salaried class on their salary and gratuities should be increased substantially. A government-sponsored social security fund should be created for unorganized laborers and agricultural laborers to provide them with security schemes defined universal social benefits including a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month and other medical and educational benefits," the CTU said in its memorandum.
Furthermore, they have sought that all existing vacancies in central government departments and PSUs be filled immediately and that the practice of contracting and subcontracting be put to an end.
They further said that resource mobilization should be done by increasing corporate tax, wealth tax and introducing inheritance tax instead of burdening the common masses with GST on essential food and medicines.
"Over decades, corporate tax rates have been unfairly reduced and, at the same time, the increased indirect tax burden on ordinary people resulted in a completely regressive tax structure. That must be corrected in the interest of justice, equity and property. Even a one percent inheritance tax for the super-rich with a cap can add up to a huge amount for budget revenues," he says.
Representatives of 12 unions attended the meeting, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC and UTUC.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) filed a separate memorandum with its demand.
Some of their demands are that the scope of MGNREGA should be expanded with the provision of 200 days of guaranteed work for every family. Furthermore, works in agriculture and allied sectors must be linked to MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
He also demanded to provide health benefits to all people over 60 years of age. It can be made contributory with a token amount of Rs 100 per month and coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year.
Also, the criteria of the Ayushman Bharat scheme should be expanded from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, he said.
The unions also asked the government to stop the privatization drive of PSUs, scrap the new pension scheme and restore the old pension scheme (OPS).
"The ceiling for refund of income tax for the salaried class on their salary and gratuities should be increased substantially. A government-sponsored social security fund should be created for unorganized laborers and agricultural laborers to provide them with security schemes defined universal social benefits including a minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month and other medical and educational benefits," the CTU said in its memorandum.
Furthermore, they have sought that all existing vacancies in central government departments and PSUs be filled immediately and that the practice of contracting and subcontracting be put to an end.
They further said that resource mobilization should be done by increasing corporate tax, wealth tax and introducing inheritance tax instead of burdening the common masses with GST on essential food and medicines.
"Over decades, corporate tax rates have been unfairly reduced and, at the same time, the increased indirect tax burden on ordinary people resulted in a completely regressive tax structure. That must be corrected in the interest of justice, equity and property. Even a one percent inheritance tax for the super-rich with a cap can add up to a huge amount for budget revenues," he says.
Representatives of 12 unions attended the meeting, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC and UTUC.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) filed a separate memorandum with its demand.
Some of their demands are that the scope of MGNREGA should be expanded with the provision of 200 days of guaranteed work for every family. Furthermore, works in agriculture and allied sectors must be linked to MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
He also demanded to provide health benefits to all people over 60 years of age. It can be made contributory with a token amount of Rs 100 per month and coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year.
Also, the criteria of the Ayushman Bharat scheme should be expanded from Rs 1.20 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, he said.
