State's 'luxury tax' on samosas

britexpat
By britexpat

The Bihar government announced plans this week for the new levy on samosas to offset an anticipated plunge in the state's revenues when a ban on alcohol sales comes into force in April. (AFP)

Cosmetics, perfumes and some sweets were also among the ‘luxury’ items to be taxed at 13.5 per cent, but the decision to include the much-loved pastry snack was met with bafflement on social media.

Opposition politicians in the eastern state, which is also one of India's most populous, warned the tax would hurt ordinary people.

 "This is a foolish, anti-people idea that will hurt the masses," Devesh Kumar, spokesman for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Bihar, told AFP.

"Besides exposing the state's precarious financial situation, a luxury tax on popular snacks like samosas and kachoris also exposes a lack of ideas," he said.

In a worrying development, Wakrah Bugle reports that Rizks is also thinking of following suit and levying a tax on Samosas, papadoms and paani poori at his Emporium :O(

By Humbles• 18 Jan 2016 11:31
Humbles

Yea, Be prepared for it .............. ................................................

By britexpat• 18 Jan 2016 09:17
britexpat

Humbles: Just use a good deoderant

By Humbles• 18 Jan 2016 08:56
Humbles

What's happening ? Our pockets are going to be lighter if MM has a way. Have pity on us MM.

By britexpat• 18 Jan 2016 08:32
britexpat

Karak is a neccesity , not a luxury. I shall be writing to the Minister of Tea Affairs to complain :O(

By Molten Metal• 18 Jan 2016 08:21
Molten Metal

add 50 Rials extra for those who sweat profusely ................... !

By Molten Metal• 18 Jan 2016 08:19
Molten Metal

Brit, When we seat our body gets cool & comfortable ........ so remaining cool in such a hot environment is nothing less than a luxury as Brit has mentioned this word. It may be collected with visa process fees ......... and could be started as 1 Rial / Day to start with. I consider we have 5 months = 150 days of bathing summer so it comes out to 150 Rials per year. ..........

By Rizks• 18 Jan 2016 08:18
Rating: 4/5
Rizks

Sorry friends, Woqood has increased the petrol price so I thought I would also do the same of imposing the luxury tax for our homely made mouth watering Samoosas, Poppadums and even KARAK as for preparing all these items I need to go to market in my TukTuk which without Petrol I cant go....Hence the luxury tax.....:(

By Molten Metal• 18 Jan 2016 08:13
Rating: 3/5
Molten Metal

LOL, I am going to suggest all GCC revenue ministers to bring in a tax on 'Sweating' ........ & it should be implemented from 01.05.2016 ......... & it has a justification .............

By britexpat• 18 Jan 2016 07:53
britexpat

We'll just have to cut down on luxury eating :O(

By LOL.XD• 18 Jan 2016 07:48
LOL.XD

WAT? How we will afford to eat Samosa here then? we just got a problem with Patrol and now Rizk's Samosa? NO TO TAX on samosa!!!!!!!

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