Dodoma. The adage that it is only the wearer who knows where the shoe pinches became apparent in Parliament on Monday when MPs fiercely opposed plans to tax their end-of-term gratuity.

 Almost all 15 MPs who debated the Sh29.5 trillion national Budget during the morning session turned their fire on Finance minister Phillip Mpango.

 “If you think you are creating enmity between us (MPs) and our voter, then you are far off the mark. This is because between 50 and 60 per cent of our incomes end up in the hands of our constituents, and they are aware of this,” said Mr Aishi Hilal (Sumbawanga Urban-CCM).

 Presenting the 2016/17 Budget in Parliament last Wednesday, Dr Mpango proposed amendment of the Income Tax Law with a view to imposing tax on MPs’ send-off pay. 

 “Honourable Deputy Speaker, I propose the amendment of the Income Tax Act, Cap 332, with a view to removing income tax exemption on MPs’ gratuity in order to promote equity and fairness in taxation,” the minister said.

 The proposal immediately prompted grumbling, which showed that MPs were not ready to accept the idea.

 It took the wisdom of Deputy Speaker Tulia Ackson to end the murmurs.

“Honourable MPs, we will have time to debate these issues,” she said.

 On Friday, the chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, Ms Hawa Ghasia, set the tone when she termed the move “double taxation”.

She was followed by Mr Kangi Lugola (Mwibara-CCM), who said the government should understand that MPs were not pensionable and queried the rationale behind the decision.