MP Shashi Tharoor has written to the prime minister Manmohan Singh over the problems that a large number of Keralites are going to be faced in foreign countries due to imposition of service tax. In his letter, Shashi Tharoor has said that several people from Kerala are working in Gulf for low salaries and service tax would trouble them.

Shashi Tharoor has urged Manmohan Singh to put the decision of imposing service tax on NRIs on hold. He has also mentioned that the decision taken by the cabinet was short-sighted. It may be noted that government took a decision to impose 12. 36 per cent service tax on NRIs from July 1. This decision has reportedly given rise to debates in Kerala with many people not welcoming the decision of the centre.

(AW Phani)