Once upon a time, there was a kingdom which had two different names in two languages. People were fighting among themselves about which name should be used in government communications. The king was very strict, selfless and disciplined. He wanted to make his country strong and very wealthy.
Once, he was sitting in his court discussing the situation in the country along with his ministers. Suddenly, he heard some people shouting and crying outside the court. The security person came in and reported that some people in very simple attire wanted to meet the king.
King : Who are they?
Security : Maharaj, I don’t know, but they appear to be some social workers.
King : You should have asked them what they want.
Security : I asked, but I didn’t understand what they were saying.
King : You are an idiot. Can’t you understand even simple things?
Security : I am sorry, Maharaj. Sometimes, even our bosses don’t understand what law they have made! And bosses say that sometimes even the ministers don’t understand!
King : Shut up.
Security : Maharaj, they were uttering the words like trust foundation, charity and so on.
Minister (politely intervenes) : Maharaj, they might be trustees of some charitable organisations.
King : Security, let them in.
Minister : Maharaj, I request that only they may come. If they are accompanied by some chartered accountant, please don’t allow him.
King : Why?
Minister : These CAs often make some logical arguments for which we may not have an answer!
King : I wonder why and how charity organisations still exist. I had asked you to make such laws that would force them to close their shops! I also wonder why these CAs continue to help the trusts. Anyway, Security, ask CAs to wait outside only.
Security : Ji Maharaj.
(Eight to ten persons enter.)
Minister : All of you, please introduce yourselves one by one.
Person 1 : Maharaj, I am running schools for poor students in villages and slum areas. They charge negligible fees or often give free education.
Person 2 : I provide medical and health services to people in remote villages and also in cities. We cater mainly to poor patients.
Person 3 : I am running yoga centres everywhere at a nominal charge.
Person 4 : I try to preserve monuments and heritage properties. It is honorary work.
Person 5 : I work to conserve the environment. I don’t take any remuneration.
Person 6 : I work for the upliftment of the poor and needy — like orphans, handicapped persons, destitute women, unsupported old people and the like.
Person 7 : Maharaj, I do general social work — like running libraries, spreading good moral values, running old age homes and so on.
King : What is your grievance?
People : We are doing selfless work for society. We raise funds by literally begging around.
King : Then what?
People : We are made to pay tax at a very high rate, even higher than business organisations.
King (to minister) : Is it true? Why so?
Minister : They may not have submitted a couple of forms. Maharaj, for my Ministry, their social work is not important. Paperwork is more important. There should be compliance.
People : Maharaj, we cannot afford the compliance cost. And our country’s infrastructure is so well developed that we have no electricity for hours together, no water for days together and no roads to approach our CA in the district place.
Minister : Who asked you to do all this work?
People : We do it voluntarily. We have been doing it for decades. Since ours is a Welfare Kingdom, many people are poor, and deprived of many things.
King : But we are becoming a superpower. We need revenue.
People : Maharaj, there is a lot of ambiguity and anomaly in the law.
Minister (stops them) : You can approach the judiciary.
People : Our grandfathers have already approached the judiciary. Our grandsons may get the decision.
Minister : Maharaj, please don’t worry. We will change the law from retrospective effect!
King : Good.
Minister : Maharaj, these CAs give us a lot of headaches.
King : Make such stringent regulations for CAs that they also will close their offices. Punish everybody.
Minister : Yes, Maharaj. The number of students has already reduced. Even those who pass dare not enter the profession.
King : Very good. So we will have peace of mind.
People (to minister) : What about ease of doing business?
Minister : It is for ‘business’ and not for ‘social work’.
Folks, we are scheduled to fly abroad to teach and guide other countries to improve their tax system.
Good bye!
