(a) the details of the recommendations of Kelkar Committee in regard to agriculture
sector and agricultural income;
(b) whether his ministry has examined these recommendations;
(c) if so, the details in this regard;
(d) the reaction of his ministry and action taken on the recommendations of Kelkar
Committee on agriculture sector; and
(e) if not, the reasons for the same?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 273 DUE FOR REPLY ON 9TH DECEMBER, 2002.
(a) to (e): According to information supplied by the Ministry of Finance, the position
regarding the recommendations of Kelkar Committee on agriculture sector and agriculture
income is as follows:-
The Kelkar Committee has not submitted any report yet. It has presented a
consultation paper on 2nd November, 2002, which has been made public for wider
discussion and comments. The recommendations relating to agricultural sector and
agricultural income is that it has been recommended that for taxation of agricultural
income, a tax rental arrangement may be designed so that States can pass a resolution
under Article 252 of the Constitution authorizing the Central Government to impose
income tax on agricultural income. All taxes collected by the Centre (net of
collection costs) may be assigned to the States. Separate tax return forms for
agricultural income may be devised.