Strongly opposing Kelkar Committee recommendations relating to tax on agriculture, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on Monday said farmers were the highest tax payers in the country.
"Farmers are the highest tax payers since they pay tax both while selling as well as purchasing their commodities. That is why they are opposing the recommendations," Chautala, who was on a day-long tour of Chhattisgarh to invite entrepreneurs to invest in Haryana, told reporters.
"People living in air conditioned rooms do not understand the problems of farmers and recommend imposition of income tax on them though they do not have sufficient income," he alleged.
He said his stand would be the same in the state assembly and at the next meeting of the National Democratic Alliance, of which his party Indian National Lok Dal is a constituent.
To a question Chautala said the government of Haryana was working on the principles of Choudhry Devi Lal.
Later addressing a joint meeting of Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industries and a public reception by Raipur Municipal Corporation, he said: "Haryana is now the destination for most of the industrialists because of best infrastructure and governance available in the state."
When Haryana was formed it did not have sufficient food stock for its own consumption but today it is the second largest foodgrain supplier to the central pool, Chautala added.
Later speaking to Chautala, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi said Haryana had longstanding relations with his state in the field of agriculture, industry and commerce and there was every need to further strengthen that.
Welcoming Chautala at his residence, Jogi said both the states have a long social, cultural and commercial relations and he would welcome entrepreneurs from Haryana to invest in the new state.
Jogi said the people of Haryana were laborious and immensely contributed towards the development of trade and commerce in Chhattisgarh, besides being involved in social work.
