Tax Concessions for Senior Citizens

THE revised Direct Tax Code (DTC) recently introduced in Parliament has unfortunately not brought much cheer to the senior citizens. While the proposed tax exemption limit for individuals has been raised from ` 1.60 lakh to ` 2 lakh, that for senior citizens is a paltry jump from ` 2.40 lakh to

` 2.50 lakh. Senior citizens are the ones most hard hit in these days of all-round price rise and reduced fixed deposit rates of banks, as they are totally dependent on their fixed deposits. Many have now pulled out from government and private sector banks and parked their money in the Government of India’s 2004 fixed deposit scheme for senior citizens, which offers an interest rate of 9 per cent per annum which is taxable. Will it therefore be too much to request the government to waive the tax on this interest under the revised DTC? Secondly, those qualifying for this scheme are required to be 60 years of age, while those availing of tax exemption as senior citizens have to be 65 years and above. Why this anomaly in age? It is hoped that the qualifying age for senior citizenship is regularised to 60 years, (which is the accepted age in most cases), as this will prove beneficial to a lot of people.

A F NAZARETH, Alto Porvorim

Match Fixing

I

CRICKET just got hit for a six when ordinary cricket-loving aficionados picked up their morning newspaper only to be shocked by the ‘spot fixing’ reports concerning the Pakistani cricket team. It brought memories of the match fixing episode by the erstwhile captain of the Indian cricket team and his team mates in the years gone by. However, this form of betting known as ‘spot fixing’ has really undermined the level to which bookies and team players can go. In such instances, cricket is the appalling loser. Cricket, the gentleman’s game as it is called, has been usurped in a manner which cannot really be fathomed. Cricket is a wonderful game, but it is being taken advantage of by others to pursue their monetary agenda. Gambling in cricket should be nipped in the bud as it has now been revealed that the real ‘judases’ have found new ways and means to destroy the spirit of this lovely game.

SEBASTIAN A MASCARENHAS, Siolim

II

CRICKET is termed as a game of ‘glorious uncertainty’. But the bookies and the match fixers are trying to reduce this degree of uncertainty. Presently cricket has become hostage to the business houses. There is more focus on money than on the game. The uniforms, cricket bats etc are plastered with logos of different business enterprises. And where there is big money, there will always be corruption, match fixing and other forms of gambling too. There is a need to go back to the traditional glorious form of cricket: plain white uniform, unblemished bats and the usual cricketers’ hats. Ban business houses gifting fancy cars and other luxuries to the players. Cricketers must be forbidden from endorsing products and services. And pay them well from the gate money. Of course this is all wishful thinking. Who would like to kill the goose that lays (literally) the golden eggs? However, the casualty here is the beautiful game of cricket.

SND POOJARY, Miramar