‘Top 1 percent will be affected by wealth redistribution’: Economist and prof R Ramakumar newslaundry May 1, 2024

Wealth distribution and inheritance tax have become the talking points in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Following statements made by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sam Pitroda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have warned of “wealth confiscation” by the Congress if it comes to power in the Centre.

India previously had wealth and death taxes from 1951 to 1986, aimed at curbing wealth concentration. Many argue that such taxes result in equitable resource allocation and ease the overall burden on citizens due to tax high payments to the government.

In this interview, The New Minute’s Pooja Prasanna speaks to economist and professor R Ramakumar on wealth redistribution and inheritance tax. He says “fear-mongering” by the BJP has hindered nuanced discussions and that it’s vital to assess these measures objectively, considering their capacity to address socioeconomic disparities.

चुनाव आयोग पर कसा कानूनी शिकंजा  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCECGjnY6pM   EMS TV 01 -may-2024

: Loksabha Election में दो चरणों के डेटा पर Election Commission को विवाद! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MVkKW3_wfA  Yogendra Yadav।

Lok Sabha Chunav: '11 दिन बाद वोटिंग का डेटा क्यों आया', Kapil Sibal का चुनाव आयोग से सवाल https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS6X8_Y5WUI News 24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0aO7CqTPdc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0aO7CqTPdc form 17c issues

A Petition to ECO https://forms.gle/tUZW5HJJFk5hienH9  : Text 

1.Phase 1 polling happened on 19 April 2024. Phase 2 polling happened on 26 April, 2024

2. You released Phase 1 & Phase 2 polling data on 30 April, eleven days after Phase 1 and four days after Phase 2

3. The data is released in Percentage terms and not actual whole numbers of “registered voters” and “actual votes polled” by each territory. Why is this not shared?

4. On April 19, the ECI, at 7 pm, announced, voter turnout as approximately 60% for Phase 1.. According to the poll data released on April 30 by ECI, Phase 1 turnout was 66.14%. This is a variation of 6.14 percentage points. Or in actual percentage terms, it’s a variation of 10.23%. What is the credible explanation for such a huge variation?

5.Similarly on April 26, at 7 pm, the ECI announced a polling percentage of 60.96% for Phase 2. According to the poll data released on April 30 by ECI, Phase 2 turnout was 66.71%. This is a variation of 5.75 percentage points. Or in actual percentage terms, it’s a variation of 9.43%. What is the credible explanation for such a huge variation? 

चुनाव से पहले सारा डेटा गायब? Election Commission on Vote Turnout data, 2024 election https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8eokwB96d4  DESH NEETI

Comment on YT:  @nareshvaghela6235 चुनाव आयुक्त पर देश द्रोह का मुकदमा फ़ासी होनी चाहिए

223 employees dismissed from Delhi Women Commission on the orders of Delhi LG, understand what is the whole matter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umhxGX5Me48 NDTV Indi a2 May 2024 It is alleged that the then chairperson of Delhi Women Commission, Swati Maliwal, had appointed her without permission, going against the rules. The order has cited the DCW Act, which states that only 40 posts are sanctioned in the commission and the DCW does not have the authority to appoint employees on contract. In this order issued by the Additional Director of DCW Department, it has also been said that before the new appointments, no evaluation of the essential posts was done nor was permission taken for additional financial burden.

Can Ladakh Embrace Tourism While Protecting Its Fragile Ecosystem? https://www.outlooktraveller.com/destinations/india/can-ladakh-embrace-tourism-while-protecting-its-fragile-ecosystem Kunzang Deachen of Local Futures & Ashish Kothari 
Ladakh's tourism has boomed in recent decades but faces challenges like waste and environmental damage. Locals are pushing for responsible tourism practices to preserve Ladakh's unique culture and ecosystem

On the 50th anniversary of Ladakh being opened of tourism, several local civil society and tour operator organisations are discussing the pros and cons of what has become an exploding sector (from 500-odd tourists in 1974 to over 500,000 now).

. The entry of a commercial, competitive, and individualistic mindset that was relatively rare in Ladakhi has begun to displace aspects of traditional life crucial to well-being, such as the economy and social life centred around the gift economy and self-sustainability.

Several civil society and trade association groups have already demonstrated the possibilities of responsible tourism in Ladakh. Amongst the earliest of these was the innovation of homestays,

The NGO Local Futures has focused on preserving local food systems and protecting related traditional practices through activities like hosting workshops and dialogues on food, farming and traditional knowledge to promote more responsible tourism and produce short films on the significant issues facing Ladakh today. The Ladakh Art and Media Organisation (LAMO) holds art exhibitions, residencies, festivals, workshops, music performances, film screenings, and other activities and events featuring artists from Ladakh and worldwide. In collaboration with the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF), it documents cultural practices and historical sites along Nubra Valley's silk route and proposes measures for more sustainable tourism there.

Other initiatives include Ladakh Environment and Health Organisation (LEHO) 's Ladakh Ecotourism, Thinlas Chorol's Ladakhi Women's Travel Company, Tsetan Dolma's De Khambir as a restaurant specialising in local cuisine, Soljacafé started by Spalzes Angmo, Dolkhar & Lchang-nang establishments promoting locally inspired architecture, cuisines, and cultural experiences, and enterprises like Ladakhi Basket, Siachen Naturals, NimaGoosGoos, Organix Ladakh and Reetsot.

Hotel Association president Skarma Tsering Dehlex spoke of the norms that hoteliers have set for themselves, e.g. only Ladakhis are allowed to set up hotels, and no one is allowed more than 35 rooms. The taxi association has resolved that no one should own more than 2-3 vehicles and that it will oppose the entry of companies like Ola and Uber.

The Need For Paradigm Shifts
Tourism cannot be seen in isolation from the economic, political and socio-cultural transformations Ladakh is facing. While it was a district within J&K state, there was already a feeling of neglect and alienation. Since it became a Union Territory in 2019, this has increased since most decision-making is happening at the best of the central government. The way New Delhi looks at this region is how it has looked at India as a whole: promoting a model of development based on unending economic growth, mega-infrastructure, and meeting consumerist demand with no consideration of impacts and supply-side constraints (including environmental). Its hold on Ladakhi policies and programmes is vice-like, with little genuine attempt to provide a meaningful voice to Ladakhis themselves.

Election Commission का बड़ा खुलासा |https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CoeKcYDwCw  Newsnasha  May 1, 2024 Figures released after a four days, with 5% variance from immediate figures? 

Congress, TMC critique EC over delay in sharing phase 1, 2 voting data  https://www.business-standard.com/elections/lok-sabha-election/congress-tmc-critique-ec-over-delay-in-sharing-phase-1-2-voting-data-124050100015_1.html  Yechury alleged that apprehensions of manipulation of results continue as total voter numbers can be altered at the time of counting. Total number of voters in each constituency was always available on ECI website till 2014 and the commission must be transparent and put out this data, he said

'Unusual & worrying': EC finally reveals turnout figures for phase 1 & 2; opposition sees red https://www.moneycontrol.com/elections/lok-sabha-election/unusual-opposition-sees-red-article-12712056.html 
Earlier, the Election Commission used to release the final data of voting percentage immediately after the polling or within 24 hours, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

‘https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/split-sena-or-face-arrest-modi-government-had-warned-eknath-shinde-sanjay-raut-9285777/  , Aditya Thackeray: “On May 20, 2022, Eknath Shinde had come to ‘Varsha’ bungalow. This was after the Income Tax department had seized his cash godown. Eknath Shinde was given the offer of either joining hands with BJP or go to jail. Scratching his beard, Eknath Shinde started crying. Even as he was crying, he told Uddhav Thackeray that he was being threatened…

Amid debate about inheritance tax, rising share of personal income tax and indirect tax remains a concern https://www.thehindu.com/data/amid-debate-about-inheritance-tax-rising-share-of-personal-income-tax-and-indirect-tax-remains-a-concern/article68122636.ece  April 30, 2024 Recent data show that personal income tax collections have increased, while collections from corporate taxes have reduced.  the Finance Ministry released provisional data that showed an uptick in net tax collections. This is mostly driven by an increase in personal income tax and securities transaction tax collections. On the other hand, collections from net corporate taxes have reduced marginally. The data also show that revenues from personal income tax and securities transaction tax grew at almost double the pace compared to revenues from corporate taxes last year.

Net direct tax collections exceed 2023-24 target https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/direct-tax-collections-exceed-estimates-in-fy24-jump-18-to-1958-lakh-crore/article68090542.ece
Corporate tax receipts’ share slipped to 46.5% from 49.6% in 2022-23; personal income tax and securities transaction tax receipts grew at over double the pace of corporate taxes last year, say Finance Ministry data April 21, 2024.. India’s net direct tax collections grew 17.7% in 2023-24 to hit ₹19.58 lakh crore, marginally surpassing the revised estimates for the year, thanks to a surge in personal income taxes whose share of the tax kitty rose to 53.3% from 50.06% in the previous year while corporate taxes’ contribution dipped to 46.5% from 49.6%.  

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/the-rising-share-of-personal-income-tax-and-indirect-tax-is-a-concern/ Recent data show that Personal Income Tax Collections have increased, while collections from Corporate Taxes have reduced. This trend is accentuated by the sharp decline in corporate tax following the 2019 tax cuts. 

Chart 2 demonstrates a historical trend where indirect taxes had been decreasing since the 1980s, whereas direct taxes were on the rise. However, recent years have witnessed a reversal of this trend, with indirect taxes increasing and direct taxes declining.

the majority of personal income tax filers fall within the ₹1 lakh-₹5 lakh annual income bracket, indicating that middle-income earners are disproportionately affected.

These charts were made by Rachita Rabboni, who isinterning with the Hiindu Data team 

Crossing The Line: 18th Lok Sabha Elections and Free Speech In India  https://freespeechcollective.in/crossing-the-line18th-lok-sabha-elections-and-free-speech-in-india/ MAY 1, 2024  In the run up to the most contentious and divisive general election that India has witnessed, there have been at least 134 instances of free speech violations in the country.  Free Speech Collective’s review of free speech in India in the first four months of 2024 reveals that the crackdown has been across the board. Journalists, academics, YouTubers, students and other citizens have faced arrests, attacks, threats, harassment and censorship, marked by arbitrary enforcement of rules and laws. Alongside, authorities have been prickly about what is perceived to be critical international coverage, as Avani Dias found out before she was forced to leave India abruptly, an invisible boundary had been drawn.

full report https://freespeechcollective.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Crossing-The-Line-18th-Lok-Sabha-Elections-and-Free-Speech-In-India_FSC-Report_1May2024.pdf 

Chemicals linked to cancer found in Acne creams including Proactiv, Clearasil https://www.livemint.com/science/health/chemicals-linked-to-cancer-found-in-acne-creams-including-proactiv-clearasil-11709731563797.html 
 06 Mar 2024,Acne products from brands including Proactiv, Target Corp.’s Up & Up and Clinique have elevated levels of the carcinogen, an independent testing laboratory said in a petition filed with the US FDA. Hand sanitizers were tainted by benzene. Sunscreens and dry shampoos too. Now acne treatments are joining the list of widely used consumer products found to contain high levels of the chemical linked to cancer.