Tamil Nadu- A Different Ball Game

by taxation of agriculture.
Such questions of principle and consistency do not apparently worry politicians who are interested above all in securing footholds where they have none. It is interesting that, while the toppling operation is being pressed forward in every possible way, a letter has been sent out by the Finance Minister, reportedly under inspiration from the Planning Commission, to all state governments suggesting alternative ways of raising resources from agriculture. One of these is simply a withdrawal of all concessions given hitherto in respect of land revenue (such as for holdings below 5 acres in size). The other is even more disarmingly simplistic. A surcharge is to be levied on the basic land revenue at graduated rates related to size