Only Income Tax Assessee to Contest Elections - Karnataka High Court
THE question before the High Court was something else, but the High Court was so concerned about evasion and disputes that it made certain suggestions to the Union Government.
In a recent judgement, the Karnataka High Court suggested:-
(i) That all Government servants, under the State/Centre (who are not assessees under the Income Tax), shall be made liable to pay Income Tax of at least Rs. 1,000/- per annum;
(ii) That all male graduates, who are mentally and physically sound, aged between 31 years to 60 years (who are not assessees under the Income Tax), shall be made liable to pay Income Tax at least Rs. 1000/- per annum and protect their interest on attaining age of 61 years by providing pension;
(iii) That Election law may be amended prescribing a condition that every male person contesting election to the State assembly/Parliament shall be an income tax assessee;
The High Court directed the Registry to send a copy of its order to the Finance Secretary and the Law Commission.
The High Court did not explain as to why the law should be applicable only to males.
Are these suggestions practically feasible and physically possible?