Strange

I keep coming across policies, schemes, decisions of the powers-that-be that boggle my mind.

Small cars, which include the Santro, Maruti Alto and Wagon R, attract an excise duty of 16 per cent, against 24 per cent for large cars. Why the difference? A small car is apparently defined as being under 3m in length. Huh.

Some ministers somewhere have changed a policy to now provide for some money to be given to families whenever a child is born. Mind you, this is from public funds i.e. taxes. I may find some rationalization for giving of money when someone does something extraordinary or is reduced to poverty due to natural disasters, but giving of money for bringing forth a child? That too when there is no dearth of people in the country at this point in time.

Then there is talk of increasing the education cess levied on direct taxes. I find that ridiculous. Just increase the tax percentage if you simply cannot get enough blood to suck from me, why the cess and the surcharge?

Politicians and ministers worried about Big Brother? Gimme a break!

Telecast of cricket matches considered what amounts to an "essential service" and getting the courts involved in what should be a purely commercial matter? If a company has bid for the rights of the telecast where does the question of "sharing the feed" come into the picture?

Another identification number required for investing in mutual funds. As if the PAN wasn't enough. In fact, I was all along under the impression that the PAN was the final word as far as my identity is concerned.

Sigh.