Illegal cable business thrives in Khulna

Cable operators under the banner of �Khulna Cable Operators Network� are running an illegal cable business without any licence from Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) and without paying the turnover tax

The brisk business of the satellite channel, Dish Line, has been going on for ages in Khulna without any payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) depriving the government of a substantial revenue.
The Dish providers take Tk 300 to Tk 400 per month, per connection. According to sources, the cost of each line, on a monthly basis, is not more than Tk 20 to Tk 30.
Convener of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, Advocate AFM Mohsin, alleged that the traders of this satellite channel have extended a lot of lines to many houses, shops, hospitals, offices as well as to remote areas and cities. By watching questionable programmes telecast by this channel, many young boys and girls are being negatively influenced.
Guardians of school-going children have complained that frequent telecast of movies and plays, several times a day or week, have corrupted the minds of their wards.
Advocate Mohsin said that though the traders are earning a lot of money, they are not paying any VAT to the authorities.
 He added that the traders, in collaboration with some unscrupulous personnel of VAT and the Police Department, run their business and give connections free of cost to those who are likely to oppose this illegal trade.
As per the existing law, cable operators have to issue a renewable licence from the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) authority by paying Tk 10,000 per year.
Moreover, they have to pay turnover tax at the rate of four per cent of their total sales proceeds every month.
But a section of locals and cable operators under the banner of ‘Khulna Cable Operators Network’ in the city are running an illegal cable business without any licence from COAB and without paying the turnover tax.
These cable operators are also broadcasting advertisements of different trade organizations of Khulna city on a special VCD channel regularly here, which is strictly prohibited under COAB law.
Moreover, the syndicate has provided over 30 thousand cable connections in and around Khulna city.
They are also using electric poles of the Power Development Board (PDB) throughout the city for providing connections. This may cause short-circuits at any time, alleged the President of Conscious Citizen Committee (CCC), Khulna district unit, Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum.
On condition of anonymity, one of the partners of the network said that they are doing business illegally by paying a handsome bribe to the officials of Khulna Customs, VAT Circle and other officials concerned on a monthly basis.
Once, these businesses were limited to urban areas of all the Upazila in the district but, at present, it has expanded to remote areas of villages and village markets.

Illegal cable business thrives in Khulna

Cable operators under the banner of �Khulna Cable Operators Network� are running an illegal cable business without any licence from Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) and without paying the turnover tax

The brisk business of the satellite channel, Dish Line, has been going on for ages in Khulna without any payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) depriving the government of a substantial revenue. The Dish providers take Tk 300 to Tk 400 per month, per connection. According to sources, the cost of each line, on a monthly basis, is not more than Tk 20 to Tk 30. Convener of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, Advocate AFM Mohsin, alleged that the traders of this satellite channel have extended a lot of lines to many houses, shops, hospitals, offices as well as to remote areas and cities. By watching questionable programmes telecast by this channel, many young boys and girls are being negatively influenced. Guardians of school-going children have complained that frequent telecast of movies and plays, several times a day or week, have corrupted the minds of their wards. Advocate Mohsin said that though the traders are earning a lot of money, they are not paying any VAT to the authorities. He added that the traders, in collaboration with some unscrupulous personnel of VAT and the Police Department, run their business and give connections free of cost to those who are likely to oppose this illegal trade. As per the existing law, cable operators have to issue a renewable licence from the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB) authority by paying Tk 10,000 per year. Moreover, they have to pay turnover tax at the rate of four per cent of their total sales proceeds every month. But a section of locals and cable operators under the banner of Khulna Cable Operators Network in the city are running an illegal cable business without any licence from COAB and without paying the turnover tax. These cable operators are also broadcasting advertisements of different trade organizations of Khulna city on a special VCD channel regularly here, which is strictly prohibited under COAB law. Moreover, the syndicate has provided over 30 thousand cable connections in and around Khulna city. They are also using electric poles of the Power Development Board (PDB) throughout the city for providing connections. This may cause short-circuits at any time, alleged the President of Conscious Citizen Committee (CCC), Khulna district unit, Sheikh Abdul Qaiyum. On condition of anonymity, one of the partners of the network said that they are doing business illegally by paying a handsome bribe to the officials of Khulna Customs, VAT Circle and other officials concerned on a monthly basis. Once, these businesses were limited to urban areas of all the Upazila in the district but, at present, it has expanded to remote areas of villages and village markets.