GENERAL SECRETARY'S LETTER NO. 114

Summary

This 2 February 1966 circular from Swatantra Party General Secretary M. R. Masani instructs party units to observe 20 February as “Anti Excessive Taxation Day.” Masani asks state organisations to arrange public meetings, processions, and explanatory leaflets, while adapting the campaign to local conditions. The stated purpose is to draw public attention to what the letter calls an almost unbearable tax burden that is increasing from day to day.

The attached list of demands translates that campaign into specific fiscal and economic measures: no additional taxation in the forthcoming Union Budget; no increases in land revenue or cesses; abolition of central excise on basic goods including kerosene, bidis, tobacco products, sugar, cloth, and betel nut; substantial reduction of direct taxation on middle-class earners with annual incomes up to Rs. 25,000; relaxation of the Gold Control Order; removal of restrictions on inter-zone and inter-district movement and distribution of foodgrains; and avoidance of inflationary policies that raise prices.

Key points

• M. R. Masani announces 20 February 1966 as the Swatantra Party’s “Anti Excessive Taxation Day.”
• State units are asked to organise public meetings, processions, and public-information leaflets.
• The campaign is framed around the rising and allegedly almost unbearable burden of taxation.
• The demands oppose new Union taxation, higher land revenue, and additional cesses.
• The annexure calls for abolition of excise duties on several goods described as part of the poor man’s budget.
• It seeks lower direct taxation for middle-class people earning up to Rs. 25,000 annually.
• It links economic relief to deregulation of gold and foodgrain movement and opposition to inflationary policies.