Raisen
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, criticized Sam Pitroda, head of the Congress’s overseas chapter, for suggesting India consider an inheritance tax similar to the one in America. At a public rally in Raisen, Chouhan said that India’s culture and values are not the same as America’s, dismissing the idea of inheritance tax in India.
Sam Pitroda had mentioned the American system, where the government takes 55% of the wealth when someone dies, allowing only 45% to be passed on to their children. Pitroda said this encourages wealth redistribution, a concept that could be beneficial for India. He pointed out that in India, the entire wealth of a deceased person goes to their children, suggesting that discussions about new policies and wealth redistribution might be necessary.
Chouhan was quick to attack these ideas, stating that in India, even farmers and poor people save money to leave for their children. He accused Congress of wanting to end this tradition and claimed that the previous inheritance tax was abolished due to public pressure. Chouhan insinuated that Rajiv Gandhi might have removed the tax to inherit Indira Gandhi’s property, and he warned that Congress is on a dangerous path.
