Rahul Gandhi’s announcement of basic income scheme for poor will put burden on traders, taxpayers: CAIT

New Delhi, Jan 29 (KNN) Expressing disappointment over “unrealistic announcements” made before the polls, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has criticized the announcement made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi of implementing a basic income scheme for poor households.

CAIT, an apex body of 7 crore small traders in the country, said the move would cost huge amount of money particularly when the exchequer is facing several challenges.

In a statement, CAIT said, “The trading community is deeply upset over announcement made by Rahul Gandhi yesterday of implementing a basic income scheme for poor households costing huge amount of money particularly when the exchequer is facing several challenges.

CAIT said it has become a habit of politicians to make unrealistic announcements and waiver at the cost of tax payers which is highly deplorable.

CAIT National President B.C.Bhartia & Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that it is nothing but merely a political statement of Rahul Gandhi made in the air.

The CAIT questioned that, “If he is so convinced about his idea, let him start the program immediately in the States where Congress is in the power since they enjoy the majority and no one can stop them in converting such an announcement into a reality.”

Both Bhartia and Khandelwal said that the announcement if implement will involve tens of billions of dollars and from where such huge funds will be arranged.

The traders’ body said that to procure funds, if taxes are increased, the load will fall on traders and already crumbled business will crash down to a great extent.

“Traders are deadly against any such kind of sops or waivers since the economic fallout is always on traders,” said Bhartia & Khandelwal.

The CAIT while cautioning Rahul Gandhi of making such announcements said that if he is so sound about the idea, he should do a pilot in any State like Chattisgarh, Rajasthan or MP where congress enjoys majority.