The National Assembly continued discussions on the proposed Cattle Tax Exemption Bill during today’s session. While most members supported the exemption, others raised concerns about its necessity and potential implications. If the Bill is approved farmers owning cattle will not have to pay taxes.
Currently, farmers are levied tax for owning cattle, including cows, horses, mithun, buffaloes, mules, goats, and sheep.
As of today, the tax rates range from Nu 1 to 10 a cattle.
Discussing the exemption, members raised questions about taxes on cattle imports and how the Bill might conflict with other laws and policies.
“The provision states that ‘the owner shall be exempted from the applicable cattle tax.’ Does this mean that taxes on cattle imports will also be waived?,” said Lamdra Wangdi, MP, Nganglam.
Some members also argued that removing the cattle tax might make it difficult to monitor the number of cattle in the country.
“I believe it is essential to maintain accurate records of the cattle population in the country. This data would be crucial for informed discussions on environmental impacts and climate change,” said Tshewang Rinzin, MP, South Thimphu.
Members supporting the Bill said that the cattle tax poses a burden, particularly for farmers who have to travel long distances to pay the tax.
The agriculture and livestock minister said that mechanisms are in place to track cattle numbers and that environmental impacts have been thoroughly assessed.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister Younten Phuntsho said, “The National Statistics Bureau collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to track the cattle population. Detailed figures are available on their website every year since 2006.”
Meanwhile, the speaker informed the House that discussions regarding the exemption of cattle import taxes would be addressed by the Goods and Services Tax Bill.
The National Assembly is expected to pass the Cattle Tax Exemption Bill tomorrow.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Sherub Dorji
