March 10, 2008	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1429

KARACHI, March 9: The Karachi Racecourse (KRC) witnessed ugly scenes on Sunday when the race-goers strongly resented the abrupt move of the management to implement five per cent advance tax on each and every betting.

The racing fraternity lodged strong protest near the betting arena and defied to pay the tax in advance in addition to forcing the turf accountants to remove their boards or face the wrath, eye witnesses told Dawn.

The announcement pertaining to paying five per cent advance tax on the betting amount to the bookmakers delayed the start of the day’s first race for almost an hour.

This is the second time in recent past, and first after induction of a new administrator (who was not available for comments), that the move has witnessed strong resentment from the public.

The present practice in Karachi as well as in Lahore is that a certain tax is deducted only on the winning amount.

Though sanity prevailed after long deliberations but the mood of public was changed when it was again announced that bookmakers would charge the advance tax on every betting with effect from next week’s race.

“It’s not acceptable to the public who come from far flung areas to keep the activity going,” said a dejected punter.

Meanwhile, police on Sunday apprehended two members of a pick-pocket gang including a former jockey which was operative in the KRC jurisdiction.—AZ