Respected @nsitharaman ji and @FinMinIndia,
Suggestion 3 of 3 for strengthening India's capital markets:
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) should be abolished.
STT was introduced as a simplified transaction tax to facilitate easier collection of taxes from capital market transactions. However, over time, it has effectively become an additional layer of taxation alongside other market-related levies.
A simplification measure should not evolve into permanent duplication.
In addition to brokerage, investors already bear multiple statutory and regulatory charges including exchange transaction charges, GST on transaction-related charges, SEBI turnover fees, stamp duty and STT.
Unlike income tax, STT is payable irrespective of whether an investor makes a profit or a loss. The investor pays the tax simply for participating in the market.
Capital markets play a vital role in channeling household savings into productive enterprises, supporting entrepreneurship, generating employment and strengthening India's economic growth. Transaction costs and multiple layers of taxation discourage participation, particularly among long-term retail investors.
India's equity markets have matured significantly since the introduction of STT. The time has come to review its original purpose and reconsider its continued relevance.
Abolishing STT would simplify market taxation, improve capital market efficiency and encourage greater participation in India's growth story.
Respectfully submitted.
Vijay Kedia made 15x returns in Aegis Logistics by wanting to imitate Rakesh Jhunjhunwala:
“In Mumbai, I luckily befriended Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. He favoured me and made me invest in a few of his stocks. I was very lucky that he used to share, not only his stocks, but his knowledge with me.”
“I wanted to imitate Rakesh and buy 5% in any company identified by me but I had no courage.”
“Finally with the secondary education pick up from him, during 2004-05 I identified Aegis Logistics at Rs. 20 and bought 5% stake for the very first time in my life. The share did not move much for next 1 year and I was disappointed and fearful. But he was my source of courage.”
“Luckily, the market realised the potential and the share moved to Rs. 300 in no time. I then exited.”
- Vijay Kedia. 2013
Important to note: He didn’t copy RJ’s ideas, he used the concepts learned from him to use in his investing. 👏🏻
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