Centre forced to listen to people: Rahul on EPF rollback

As the government rolled back the controversial proposal to tax EPF withdrawal, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday mounted a fresh attack on it, saying the attempt to tax the safety net of the middle-class was “morally” wrong.

Gandhi, in a series of tweets, said the government was forced to listen to the people and roll back the “patently unfair” tax on EPF.

“Finally the Govt was forced to listen to people and roll back the patently unfair tax on EPF. But the attempt to tax the safety net of millions of hard-working middle-class ppl was morally wrong&shows this Govt’s anti-ppl mindset(sic),” he tweeted.

In the face of all-round attack, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley completely rolled back the controversial proposal.

He made a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, during which he also announced withdrawal of imposing monetary limit for contribution of employers to provident and superannuation fund of Rs 1.5 lakh for taking tax benefit.

Terming as “big victory” for people of the country the roll back of the proposal, Congress said Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again “quickly and meekly” caved in to the pressure exerted by Gandhi.

Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha tweeted: “Modi, ONCE AGAIN, quickly/ meekly caves in to pressure exerted by @OfficeOfRG, fighting for the common man. #EPF(sic).”

Party’s chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala termed it as a “big victory” for people of the country. “The Modi government was forced to withdraw the anti-people measure in the wake of nationwide protests by the salaried class. It is a big victory of people (sic),” he said on the micro-blogging site. 

Congress spokesperson, Ajay Maken said due to Rahul Gandhi’s “forceful” stand, the BJP-led NDA government had to withdraw the proposal to tax EPF withdrawal. 

Maken claimed the “massive” support to Congress’ protest at Jantar Mantar against the proposal also “shook” the government.

Terming the proposal as “illogical” step that would have “robbed” a substantial portion of employees’ hard-earned money, he warned that the Congress will fight tooth and nail if the government tried to bring it back.