FM Asked By Broker Why ‘Government Is Taking His Entire Profit’. Watch Her Witty Reply

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman found herself in an unexpected exchange when a stock market broker queried the government's share of his profits. At an event, the broker voiced his concerns about the array of taxes, including GST, IGST, Stamp duty, Securities Transaction Tax (STT), and Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) Tax, cutting into his earnings. He humorously likened the government to a "sleeping partner" due to its significant share in his profits. Amid laughter from the audience, the broker pressed Sitharaman on the tax burden, particularly regarding real estate transactions. He questioned the government's support for individuals with limited resources to purchase homes and how brokers could thrive under such tax regimes. Sitharaman, taken aback by the candid inquiry, responded with wit, stating, "I don't have a response to this," and playfully remarked, "A sleeping partner cannot answer sitting here."