Go cashless, get tax concessions: BJP manifesto

Mumbai: Aiming to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of creating a cashless society, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be giving special tax concessions to Mumbaikars who carry out cashless transactions.

The promise has been included in the party’s manifesto for the Mumbai civic polls that will take place on February 21. After demonetisation, the Prime Minister had encouraged cashless transactions and his emphasis was on possessing less cash. A top BJP leader said the initiative has been included in the BJP’s manifesto for the BMC polls.

“Modiji has been very vocal about the cashless transactions. We know that the entire economy cannot be cashless. But if maximum transactions are cashless then corruption can be reduced. The cashless transactions will also bring transparency into the system, which is our priority in the functioning of the BMC. This will be our poll promise for the people to give some tax concession if they prefer cashless transactions,” the BJP leader said. The leader did not divulge the details about which cashless transactions will bring the benefit to the people.

This move is yet another sop by the BJP after it announced no property tax for citizens who have 500 sq ft of house. The party has also promised to give concession to houses with area up to 700 sq ft. BJP also said it would not charge water taxes till the facility is available 24/7.