People are actually willing to pay tax, but they avoid it out of fear of harassment, said the Prime Minister's Private Sector Adviser Salman F Rahman on Saturday (29 June).
“The people want to pay tax, but the process causes them so much harassment that they avoid it,” said Salman during the inauguration of cashless smart service at the union parishads under Dhaka district at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
The PM’s private sector adviser said, “Under the existing system, those who pay tax are subjected to the imposition of more tax. But the rate could be mitigated if those who do not pay tax could be brought under tax coverage.”
Addressing the present union parishad members, chairmen, and mayors, Salman F Rahman asked them to ensure that the facilities enjoyed in towns must be available in rural areas too.
“The entire world sees Bangladesh as a role model for development, of which the villages are also a part,” said Salman.
At this point, he highlighted the importance of following building codes while constructing buildings in rural areas, shedding light on future hurdles of unplanned urbanization.
He also drew the attention of local representatives to the construction of buildings on arable lands. He reminded them of the prime minister’s instruction to protect arable lands.
Addressing the economy, Salman F Rahman said the country was doing very well economically, but growth was temporarily hampered initially by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war afterwards.
He expressed hope that the economic pressure would be overcome under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
He said the dollar crisis will be fixed within the next few months.
Among others present at the event organized by the district administration of Dhaka were Local Government, Rural Development & Co-operatives Minister Tajul Islam, Dhaka-20 lawmaker Benzir Ahmed, and Parliament Member from the reserved seat Sheikh Anarkoli Putul.
