BJP demands rollback of new service tax regime

Inflation is rising since the Congress-led UPA government has come to power. It is unable to check it and on top of that it has decided to impose service tax bringinig new items under it. It (the tax) should be rolled back," senior party leader Rajnath Singh told reporters here.

"The imposition of service tax has dealt a double blow to the common man," he said.

Under the new service tax regime which came into effect today, barring 38 services which figure in the negative list, all other activities would attract 12 per cent tax. The government had earlier decided to implement the negative list from July 1.

Addressing a 'Bodh (Buddhist) mahasammelan' he shared the grief of the participants about the demolition of the Buddha statues at Bamyan in Afghanistan.

Singh said he would write to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav about initiating work on construction of a Buddha statue in Kushinagar, the foundation stone of which was laid by him when he was the chief minister.

He said Buddhism has taught the world the virtues of love and compassion and its relevance is being incresingly felt today.

While there should be religious tolerance and fostering of brotherhood among communities, things like "mass conversion" is not acceptable, he said.