Bangladesh: Widening of tax net stressed

Speakers at a dialogue on the national budget 2015-16 on Saturday suggested the government to expand the tax net and modernize the collection system to meet the revenue target.
They said if the tax net is not widened and strengthened the collection would remain low forcing the government to go for bank borrowings.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organized the dialogue in a city hotel to analyze the proposed budget for FY16.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on June 4 unveiled the national budget of Taka 295,100 crore for fiscal 2015-16, where revenue collection has been set at Taka 208,443 crore in which the NBR would contribute Taka 176,370 crore.
CPD Executive Director Professor Mustafizur Rahman made a keynote
presentation on the proposed budget in which he suggested the government to bring some reforms in the financial sector for implementation of large budget.
CPD advocated for expediting the reform agendas such as public services Act, PPP Act, privatization and financial reporting Act which remained stalled.
The private think-tank body recommended forming five independent
commissions for statistical, agriculture price, local government financing, public expenditure review and financial sector reform towards better macroeconomic management.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal said all the macro-economic indicators give clear indication that proposed budget is implementable.
“We’ve set a goal, and we know the problems and ways of solutions . . . so we are confident that we can implement the budget,” he said.
Replying to the remarks of BNP leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury about the low rate of private sector investment, Kamal said: “when any entrepreneurs see frequent hartal, blockade and petrol bomb why he/she would be interested to invest in the country.”
“Bangladesh economy is moving ahead in a way a balanced economy should run,” the planning minister pointed out.
Terming the budget as a “document of compromise”, State Minister for Finance and Planning M A Mannan said the government has to formulate the budget having consultations with different stakeholders and pressure groups.
Criticizing the proposed budget, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said investment is the key component of the growth, but for the last few years the private sector is showing reluctance to investment in the country, which forced the public sector to increase its investment.
He said the government has failed to bring reforms in the financial sector that’s why the sector lost dynamism.
Moderated by the CPD Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan, economists,
academicians, bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and representatives of stakeholders took part in the dialogue. (Source: BSS)

Bangladesh Supreme Court to reopen June 14 after vacation

The Supreme Court (SC) will resume its regular activities from June 14, 2015 after a two-week vacation.
The apex court went to vacation on June 1.
Vacation bench of the SC has dealt with urgent matters during the vacation.
Some important cases have been put on the cause list of the apex court for this week.
Earlier, the SC fixed June 16 to deliver judgment on the appeal of Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali Ahshan Mohammad Mujaheed challenging legality of his death sentence for his crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation. (Source: BSS)

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury calls on China vice-president

Speaker of the Parliament and chairperson of CPA executive committee Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury called on the Vice President of China Li Yuanchao on Friday at his office in China.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest both of the countries, said a press release.
Citing Bangladesh and China has a long history of bilateral relationship, the Speaker said that this relationship would also be active in future to boost cooperation between China and Bangladesh, the release also said.
Encouraging the Vice President to invest to different sectors, Dr Chaudhury highlighted the country’s latest progress in the economy and in major social sectors, which have created a very favorable environment for trade, business and investment.
Li Yuanchao also ensured to work together sincerely to promote progress both of the countries.
Earlier the Speaker called on Li Jiheng at his office. He is the secretary of the Yunnan Province Communist Party.
The Speaker left Dhaka for China to attend the 3rd China-South Asia Exposition and 23rd China Kunming Import and Export Commodities Fair scheduled to be held in Yunnan province on 12-14 June.
She will return home on June 14. (Source: BSS)

Bangladesh: 4 journos to get media award for anti-corruption reports

Four journalists of print and electronic media will receive the ‘Media Award on Corruption Prevention’ for their reports on corruption by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The recipients are senior reporter of daily Jugantar Mujib Masud, reporter of Channel 24 Shamima Sultana, cameraperson of Maasranga Television Qumruzzaman Feroz, senior staff reporter of Gramer Kagoj, Jessore-based local newspaper, Faisal Islam, a press release of PIB said in Dhaka on Saturday.
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu will hand over the awards to the winners at a function at PIB auditorium at 10.30 am on June 14.
As part of the award, the winners will also attend the ‘Global Media Forum’ to be held in Bonn, Germany between June 22 and 24. (Source: BSS)

Bangladesh: Calls for implementation of Formalin Control Act

Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Md Fazle Rabbi Miah has called for proper implementation of Formalin Control Act to prevent the using of the chemical in foods and fruits to protect public health.
“Using of different chemicals including formalin in seasonal fruits including jackfruits and mangos cause a serious threat to public health. Formalin Control Act has already been passed in Jatiya Sangsad to get rid of chemical use in foods. It should be properly implemented,” he said.
The deputy speaker was addressing as the chief guest at a fruit festival organised by cultural organisation ‘Drishti’ at Dhaka University Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) cafeteria here to introduce the seasonal fruits of the country to city children. LGRD Secretary Abdul Malek, Swechchhasebak League President Mollah Md Abu Kawsar, Film personality Syed Salauddin Zaki and Actress Meher Afroz Shaon spoke on the occasion with Drishti president Mosharraf Hossain in the chair.
Later, Fazle Rabbi planted sapling of a fruit-bearing tree at the TSC primises.
Different types of fruits were exhibited in the festival. Fruits were also distributed among destitute children. (Source: BSS)

BNP now in shattering condition without getting any issue, says Railway Minister Md Mujibul Haq

Railway Minister Md Mujibul Haq has recently said being isolated from people BNP is now in a shattering condition without getting an issue of launching any movement.
“BNP, a party of electric polls scam, has now been isolated from the people. But, change in people’s lot takes place whenever Awami League assumes power. The country is marching ahead towards progress and prosperity, which is the main objective of Awami League-led government,” he said.
The minister said this while inaugurating new electricity connections in different villages of Shubhapur, Sripur and Kashinagar Union Parishads under Chowddagram Upazila in the district.
A total of 545 families of 11 villages of three unions of the upazila came under new power connections with erection of a 12-kilometre long electricity line at a cost of Taka 1.44 crore, according to a press release.
The minister said, “BNP doesn’t want that people of the country live in peace and that’s why they hatch conspiracy to create anarchy. It has become crystal clear to the people of Bangladesh, the goons of Jamaat-shibir torched resources of the state with the direct patronization of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. As people don’t support the politics of torching properties, vandalism and anarchy, they have rejected BNP-Jamaat and kept trust on Awami League.”
The function was also addressed, among others, by Chowddogram Upazila chairman Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan Hasan, upazila Awami League general secretary Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury Selim and Pourasabha mayor Mizanur Rahman. (Source: BSS)

Man arrested with gold at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport

Customs officials arrested one person with 170 gold bars weighing 1.395 kilogram worth about Taka 70 lakh at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on Saturday, customs said.
The arrested man Emdadul Halat Khan, 35, arrived here by an Air Arabia flight (G-9517) from Sharjah at 10am yesterday and went to the airport this morning to receive his baggage, assistant commissioner of Customs Priyanka Das Shipu told BSS today.
“The gold bars were concealed in his luggage and customs officials identified the gold after scanning the bag,” she added.
He was handed over to Airport police and a case in this connection has been lodged. (Source: BSS)

Tamim Iqbal surpasses Habibul Bashar in Test

Tamim Iqbal became the highest run-getter for Bangladesh during the fourth day of the one-off Test match against touring India at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium on Saturday.
The left handed opener surpassed former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar’s record of 3026 runs after playing 40 matches in his career, ten less than to Bashar.
The Southpaw from Chittagong Tamim has scored 3039 runs in 40 Test matches with an average of 39.46. Tamim failed to entertain the local crowds with his impressive batting as the left hander was caught behind by Robindra Ashwin delivery for 19 runs. (Source: BSS)