Congress demands EPF rollback

All India Mahila Congress on Saturday staged a protest outside BJP headquarters demanding immediate rollback of tax on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF).

Shobha Ojha, president, said the central government's proposal to make provident fund taxable shows government is "insensitive mindset" towards working class.

Women's wing of the Congress party condemned the budget proposals as it would "adversely affect the employees" and government is "burdening" the middle class.

"We are asking for a total rollback of the EPF tax scheme that the government has announced recently," Ojha said.

She added: "Working class is being tortured by this tax. We will continue this protest across the country. Government is burdening the middle class."

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that 60 percent of withdrawals from the provident fund accounts will be taxed on contributions to be made after April 1.

He had said the aim of the move is to make India a more insured and pensioned society.