The Finance Ministry has finally agreed to grant tax exemptions for cemeteries that are run by volunteers on a private non-profit basis.

I think the move is long overdue. It is extremely difficult soliciting for donations for any voluntary work, be it cemetery maintenance, charitable work or other NGO activities.

If the government can't afford to give these bodies monetary assistance, the least it can do is to ensure that they are not taxed on the meager donations and other surpluses that they painstakingly gather.

What kind of society are we when we seek to tax even the charitable needs of people? I am sure our nation will not face financial ruin or burgeoning budget deficits by these needed tax exemptions.

Let us put the matter to rest once and for all and grant all charitable and voluntary organisations tax-exempt status.