Pai trolled for ‘my tax is for development’ comment

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai’s remark: “I'm a taxpayer and my tax is for development and not for free distribution,” has fetched him needless trolls and political wrath on Twitter. His tweet came on Sunday, to which many replied and questioned his credibility. “I am a taxpayer. My tax should be used for the development of the nation, not for the PM and his cabinet to enjoy a life of opulence and grandeur,” he tweeted.

“My tax shouldn't be used for waiver of NPAs of frauds and friends who are allowed to loot and scoot. I don’t mind if my tax is distributed to the poorest of the poor in the form of welfare schemes for their empowerment. Yes, Mr TV MohandasPai, any disagreements???” asked Diptangshu Chaudhury in response, again on Twitter. Continuing on the topic, another user said tax must not be used to spread hatred against minorities.

“I am a taxpayer. My tax cannot be used to spread hatred or spew venom against minorities. My tax cannot be used to bend rules and break parties. My tax cannot be used to fund the dream of a fascist organization,” tweeted one Ramkumar.

Another Twitter used about his stand on Adani. Y Sathis Reddy from the BRS party, Telangana, said he too is a taxpayer and his tax is for national development and not for Adani. AICC Incharge Gurdip Singh Sappal asked him to disclose some details.

He tweeted: “You are the director, promoter and shareholder of several companies. What is the total amount of corporate tax relief received by these companies in the last nine years? What is the total amount of debt relief and debt write-offs for these companies in the last nine years? Is there any NPA, haircut, or NCLT award for your companies and is the total amount related to these? What is the total amount rising out of tax holidays, tax incentives, and interest subvention to your companies? What is the total tax paid by you to the government? Let’s do the maths first so that we can empathise with you and support you.

By the way, isn’t it true that the top 5% of your friends hold over 60% wealth but pay less than 3-4% of GST, while the poorest 50% people of India pay over 64% GST”? Attacking the BJP, and Pai for not questioning the party, many said that tax is not for free distribution and write-offs to greedy crony capitalists.

“Development without social justice is not development at all. Free cycles have given education to countless girls. Free meals and rice have addressed the hunger issue of millions. Free scholarships have given wings to the dreams of crores of students.

Free healthcare has created a healthy society. Free education has positively impacted the development of our country (I am a beneficiary of free education from the JNV). The list can go on. I proudly pay tax because once upon a time someone’s tax helped me to become who I am today,” said Vinay Kumar, a Twitter user and the founder of Insight IAS.