SERVICE TAX leads to black money: RAJINI :TOI

SERVICE TAX LEADS TO BLACK MONEY: RAJINI

The Superstar joined his film fraternity friends on Monday to voice his protest against the Central Government's decision to levy service tax on artists

In a one day fast staged by Kollywood to protest the service tax, numerous actors including the Superstar, appealed to the government On Monday, Kollywood came to a halt, with most of the industry's celebrities gathering at Valluvar Kottam to stage a one-day fast to demand scrapping of the service tax levied by the Centre on artists.
The fast got a lot of momentum ' and publicity ' the minute Superstar Rajinikanth joined his friends from the film fraternity. Kamal Haasan was, however, conspicuous by his absence. In his speech, Rajinikanth stated that increasing taxes would only lead to more black money in the country. "They (the Centre) may be aware of this trend. If stringent laws are framed to penalize tax defaulters, that will bring in more money to the government," he said. "I hope they withdraw this service tax, heeding to our request." Due to the one-day fast, film shootings were cancelled for the day.
The fast, which saw the presence of both big and small stars from the fraternity, sought to press the Central Government to take immediate action on the issue. Sarath Kumar, president of the actors' association, stated that the industry's smaller artists were overburdened due to the imposition of service tax. "Unlike other industries, we cannot even pass it on to the consumers as theatre collection comes under the state government," he added.
Meanwhile, other south film industries too held a similar dharna to showcase their protest against the tax. The Tollywood industry, including actors Venkatesh, Nani, Sunil and Allu Aravind, also staged a dharna on January 7 to condemn the Government's decision to levy service tax.
Team CT

Rajinikanth during the one-day fast

Jiiva, Jayam Ravi and Vishal at the one-day fast

Vijay and Suriya also joined their colleagues

Sneha and Mumtaz attended the one-day fast as well

Quite agree with RK !