People-centric recommendations

AT a time when common man was intensely criticizing absence of proper relief measures in the budgetary proposals for the next financial year, the Senate deserves appreciation for making comprehensive people-centric recommendations to the lower house of the parliament, which, if implemented in letter and spirit, could go a long way in resolving most of the woes of the people. The recommendations, formulated by the house Standing Committee on Finance, were approved by a Senate session on Thursday, envisage, among other things, proposals to increase salaries of federal government employees by 15% and restore frozen medical allowances for both serving employees and pensioners; reduce income tax rates for low income individuals; a reduction in General Sales Tax (GST) on food items, medicines, educational supplies and agricultural inputs; and allocation of funds to reduce electricity tariffs. Under the law, the upper house has no role in the passage of money bills but it has demonstrated its worth by giving concrete input that reflect aspirations of different segments of the society, therefore, the Government and Members of the National Assembly must consider them seriously for the good of the people. There are legitimate concerns that the increase in pays and pensions announced by the Finance Minister was a joke in view of a steep rise in inflation during the outgoing year, therefore, the fixed income groups deserve proper relief. The Senate has proposed a modest increase of 15% as against 10% announced in the budget as well as reduction of income tax rate for low income groups that currently stand discriminated by the Government. There is also no logic to maintain a freeze on the medical allowance of employees and pensioners when prices of medicines and medical services have been hiked manifolds during the year. Similarly, it is always unwise to impose GST on food items, agriculture inputs and educational supplies as such measures significantly increase the cost of livi