Expansion of tax, VAT areas stressed -The Asian Age

Business leaders, academics and development activists at a discussion here yesterday underscored the need for expanding the area of income tax and VAT for more revenue collection. They viewed that enhanced area of tax and VAT can be the effective means of supplementing the government efforts to make the country self-reliant in economy.

They were addressing a discussion titled "Recent Taxes and VAT System" held at SK Food World Restaurant in the city.  District committee of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), an NGO, organized the meeting. Former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Prof Nurul Alam and Associate Professor Rashed Kabir from Department of Finance and Banking of Rajshahi University addressed the meeting as main discussants.

With CGG local unit president Akbarul Hassan Millat in the chair, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Md Muniruzzaman and CGG central committee members Manzu Rani Pramanik and Abdul Kader also spoke at the consultation. CGG Project Coordinator Lovely Rani Talukder presented a  concept paper on the issue.

Prof Nurul Alam underlined the need for formulating pro-poor and best tax policy for ensuring tax justice everywhere in the society.  Muniruzzaman said emphasis should be given on creating more mass-awareness for boosting tax collection in the greater interest of making the country economically self-reliant.

Prof Rashed Kabir said transparency and accountability should be ensured in the tax collection system so that more eligible people will be encouraged to pay tax.

-BSS, Rajshahi