Ruling alliance leaders oppose VAT on edn

Leaders of the Awami League (AL)-led 14-Party Alliance have demanded that the government immediately withdraw its decision to impose value-added tax (VAT) on the tuition fees of private university students.
They felt that the imposition of VAT on education was illogical and the matter should be reconsidered as soon as possible in the greater interest of students.      
Talking to The Independent, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) general secretary Sharif Nurul Ambia said, “Imposing VAT on education is not a wise decision on the part of the traffic remained halted in many parts of the capital, causing much suffering for the commuters, as roads remained blocked throughout the day by students of private universities demanding withdrawal of a 7.5 per cent VAT imposed on their tuition fees.

 “We will reach an honourable solution to these complications soon,” the minister added.
 Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was also present there, who termed the issue important and said it will be resolved very soon.
Students of private universities have been organising protests since the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year imposed a 7.5 percent value added tax (VAT) on tuition fees of students of the private universities, medical and engineering colleges.
 After police on Wednesday clashed with agitating students of East West University in Rampura, the protests intensified on Thursday and students of many private universities took part in demonstration at various intersections in the capital, severely disrupting traffic movement throughout the day.
Students also took to the streets yesterday and blocked many intersections, causing severe traffic gridlocks. government. It should be withdrawn immediately.”
“It is true that private universities are doing business in the country, but they (the government) have to bring these under a specific policy first. Only then can it take a decision by discussing the matter with all the stakeholders,” he said.
The general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Bangladesh, an alliance partner, Fazle Hossain Badsha, said the government should not impose VAT on education, as it can prove to be a barrier for higher education in the country.
“Education is not a commercial product, but our finance minister has already decided to impose VAT on education. It is completely illogical. I think our finance minister has no knowledge of political economy,” he said.
He added that such a decision would hinder the progress of the country that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants.
At a programme in the city on Thursday, AL joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, too, had called upon finance minister AMA Muhith to reconsider the decision.
“In the last budget session, I had told Parliament that the proposal to impose VAT on the tuition fees of private university students should be reconsidered. Now, I again urge our finance minister to reconsider it,” he had said.
AL organising secretary Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Shapon told this correspondent on Friday said the finance minister’s decision would only help the BNP cash in on the ongoing anti-VAT movement. This would occur at a time when the country has found peace after suffering anti-government protests sponsored by the BNP-Jamaat for three months, he observed.
“There is no logic in imposing VAT on education. The government has not become so poor that it will have to impose VAT on the tuition fees of private university students,” he added.
Meanwhile, private university students have been organising a movement in Dhaka and other parts of the country. They have put up road blockades at key points in the capital over the last two days, demanding cancellation of the 7.5 per cent VAT imposed on their tuition fees. Their agitation has severely disrupted traffic, leaving city residents in trouble.

Ruling alliance leaders oppose VAT on edn

Leaders of the Awami League (AL)-led 14-Party Alliance have demanded that the government immediately withdraw its decision to impose value-added tax (VAT) on the tuition fees of private university students. They felt that the imposition of VAT on education was illogical and the matter should be reconsidered as soon as possible in the greater interest of students. Talking to The Independent, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) general secretary Sharif Nurul Ambia said, Imposing VAT on education is not a wise decision on the part of the traffic remained halted in many parts of the capital, causing much suffering for the commuters, as roads remained blocked throughout the day by students of private universities demanding withdrawal of a 7.5 per cent VAT imposed on their tuition fees. We will reach an honourable solution to these complications soon, the minister added. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was also present there, who termed the issue important and said it will be resolved very soon. Students of private universities have been organising protests since the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year imposed a 7.5 percent value added tax (VAT) on tuition fees of students of the private universities, medical and engineering colleges. After police on Wednesday clashed with agitating students of East West University in Rampura, the protests intensified on Thursday and students of many private universities took part in demonstration at various intersections in the capital, severely disrupting traffic movement throughout the day. Students also took to the streets yesterday and blocked many intersections, causing severe traffic gridlocks. government. It should be withdrawn immediately. It is true that private universities are doing business in the country, but they (the government) have to bring these under a specific policy first. Only then can it take a decision by discussing the matter with all the stakeholders, he said. The general secretary of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, an alliance partner, Fazle Hossain Badsha, said the government should not impose VAT on education, as it can prove to be a barrier for higher education in the country. Education is not a commercial product, but our finance minister has already decided to impose VAT on education. It is completely illogical. I think our finance minister has no knowledge of political economy, he said. He added that such a decision would hinder the progress of the country that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants. At a programme in the city on Thursday, AL joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, too, had called upon finance minister AMA Muhith to reconsider the decision. In the last budget session, I had told Parliament that the proposal to impose VAT on the tuition fees of private university students should be reconsidered. Now, I again urge our finance minister to reconsider it, he had said. AL organising secretary Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Shapon told this correspondent on Friday said the finance ministers decision would only help the BNP cash in on the ongoing anti-VAT movement. This would occur at a time when the country has found peace after suffering anti-government protests sponsored by the BNP-Jamaat for three months, he observed. There is no logic in imposing VAT on education. The government has not become so poor that it will have to impose VAT on the tuition fees of private university students, he added. Meanwhile, private university students have been organising a movement in Dhaka and other parts of the country. They have put up road blockades at key points in the capital over the last two days, demanding cancellation of the 7.5 per cent VAT imposed on their tuition fees. Their agitation has severely disrupted traffic, leaving city residents in trouble.