Kolkata: AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress) on February 16 demanded curtailing of Defence expenditure, security budget for VIPs and increased taxation of legislators by the Centre to raise funds for public investment and welfare measures for the unemployed.

"We demand that the Centre cut down its massive Defence expenditure. The government should take steps for dialogues with the secessionist forces in Kashmir Valley and regional cooperation with neighbouring states for the economic interest of the country and the region," AITUC general secretary Gurudas Dasgupta told reporters in Kolkata.

The AITUC, which has chalked out a 15-point charter of demand urging the Centre to follow an alternative budget-making process, also demanded that the government cut down its size, review its allocations to the home ministry, spending on VIP security and allocation for security agencies.

The police budget of both the Centre and the states should be brought down too, he said.

Stressing on increasing tax rates for high-income groups and corporates, he said, "The MPs and MLAs should also be subject to increased taxation as large part of their income is tax free."

The AITUC further demanded taxing rich farmers, reintroduction of quantitative restrictions on imports on selective basis, huge public investment to turn wheel of the stagnated economy, creation of welfare funds for the unemployed, enforcement of labour laws and strengthening of financial resources of the states, among others.

PTI