Police foil human chain by students
A human chain programme in the capital organised by students of private universities to protest the imposition of VAT on higher education was foiled by police yesterday
The students are demanding the cancellation of 7.5 per cent VAT (value added tax) imposed in the current budget on private universities, medical and engineering colleges.
Around 400 students from 12 private universities held a human chain under the banner of Private University General Students Council in front of the East West University campus yesterday, but soon police arrived at the scene and foiled their programme.
The protesting students have announced fresh programme in front of the Daffodil International University at noon on July 8, protesting the imposition of VAT. Convener of the Council, Sathil Islam, announced the fresh programme at the yesterdays human chain.
Protesting students alleged that the government has imposed the VAT on education to fill the gap of deficit budged, which is illogical. They said the imposition of VAT on education will increase the cost of higher education for each student by Tk 40,000 to 1 lakh, which would be a great burden for most of the middle income families. This will pose a threat to higher education for thousands of students, they said.
Demanding immediate cancellation of the VAT on higher education, they warned that tougher programmes will be taken if their demand is not met.
