This refers to the debate “Should the Indian team get a tax break?” (April 13). It is common knowledge that most cricketers earn much more than non-cricketers or average citizens. So why should we exempt cricketers – who are lakhpatis if not crorepatis – from paying taxes? It is true that not all cricketers get an opportunity to become commentators or umpires once their cricketing career is over. But most of them earn enough money during the course of their careers to have a financially-secure future.
Also it is not correct to conclude that cricketers neglect their education while serving the nation. They willingly choose cricket as their profession because they possess the skill and passion to do so, and as a result the sport takes priority over their education. Surely exercising one’s choice to profession is not an act of sacrifice.
It is good to appreciate cricketers for bringing laurels to the country, but offering them tax relief is not the way to do so. Tax rules cannot be ignored to benefit a particular class of people. Would the government exempt a slum-dweller from paying tax on the prize money of Rs 1 crore won in a state lottery?
Prem K Menon, Mumbai
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