Kerala has become the first state to impose a 14.5 per cent ‘fat tax’ on junk food. You have to wonder what will be on the tax hitlist next. We got funny men to share their list of future taxes that could make the grade...
When in doubt, resort to humour is a motto that we stand by. The Kerala government’s recent imposition to have a 14.5 per cent fat tax on burgers, pizzas and other junk food served in branded restaurants (to curb obesity) got people all riled up on social media. The reactions varied from shock and dismay to sarcastic jibes. While we are at it, we decided to get comedians to give their witty takes on the proposal.
Sorabh Pant
I like the intention, but it does seem like another opportunity to make me poorer and fatter. Not like a 14.5 per cent fat tax will discourage people from eating junk food. And if they intend to go that way, we might as well add a thin tax, why should thin people have all the fun? And it should not end there, there should be a tax on having babies as we already are over-populated, we can also have an ingredient tax and a sambhar tax for any extra bowl ordered and also go for a honking tax and a tax on midnight munchies as well.
Ali Asgar
I am divided on this one. On one hand, the way this is being projected is that the tax will keep people away from junk food. That is not necessarily the case, as once people get used to the idea and when they crave junk food, they will pay to have it. While the idea is to curb obesity, I don’t think people’s weight is going to decrease because of this, but their pressure and cholesterol is bound to increase thinking about the amount of taxes one has to pay. I am afraid soon there will be a happiness tax or a laughter tax questioning how one can laugh or be happy despite paying so many taxes. We may also have to pay a breathing tax to inhale oxygen from a green and less polluted area.
Anuvab Pal
Who determines what constitutes junk food? This effectively seems like an arbitrary tax on MNCs. And if we are going that way, you never know someone may decide that they don’t wear shoes with laces so shoes with laces should be taxed or since they don’t use a particular network, that should be taxed. I don’t see how taxing MNCs is going to curb obesity, when you tuck into a spicy mutton curry that’s loaded with oil or enjoy deep-fried squid that’s available at places that serve booze or dig into a beef chilly fry again — something that’s not exactly low in calories and fat.
Kunal Vijayakar
It’s ridiculous, considering a majority of Indians consume junk food from the street.
Our kachoris, dosas, medu vadas, vada pavs, jalebis are all fried and fattening. Tomorrow, you may have to pay a weight tax, depending on how much you weigh.
AIB
Indian comedy group AIB also shared a Facebook post taking potshots at the Kerala government’s fat tax proposal suggesting other taxes you may have to shell out in the state in the future. Here’s the list:
Thoda Patla Hai Tax
Height Bhi Kam Hai Re Tax
Biceps Bahot Bada Hai Tax
Jawline Mein Problem Tax
Nails Cut Nahi Kiye Tax
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 "Ali Asgar and Sorabh Pant")
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