By shortening and simplifying income tax legislation, government has sought to strengthen letter of the law. Yet, by not easing strict search and seizure provisions, its spirit remains burdensome. The main grouse against tax officials is their vast discretionary powers to harass. Simplifying language isn’t going to increase taxpayers’ trust.
Sajjan Kumar’s conviction exposes systemic failures in police probe, political support he got
Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s conviction in anti-Sikh riots was a long time coming. That it has come only after a re-investigation undertaken by Centre-appointed SIT isn’t lost on anyone. It exposes systemic failures in police probe as well as the continued political support extended to him over the years.
The three new criminal laws, codes translated from English to Hindi. Retained much from the original, which is unsurprising, for the British made fine laws. And yet did not discard the underlying colonial mindset.