The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam on Monday called upon all eligible people to pay taxes for building a self-reliant country.

There is no alternative to raising internal resources and for this collection of income tax should be increased, he said while addressing as the chief guest a reception to 316 highest and longtime taxpayers at the district level at the Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre here.

National Board of Revenue (NBR) arranged the function marking the first National Income Tax Day-2008.

With NBR Chairman Mohammad Abdul Mazid in the chair, the function was addressed by one of the highest taxpayers Alhaj Rahim Uddin Bharasha of Rangpur, and longtime taxpayer and Chairman of Square Group Samsan H Chowdhury.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, who was scheduled to attend the function as the chief guest, sent a message on the occasion. The message was read out by the NBR chairman.

Mentioning the lack of necessary social and physical infrastructures in Bangladesh as a least-developed country, the finance adviser said the reason for it is not to extract enough internal resources.

Dr Azizul Islam said importance to duty tax has been reduced to a great extent because of globalisation. So, the income tax has been given more priority, he added.

The finance adviser said the income tax is not only contributing to the country's infrastructure development, but also playing an effective role in reducing discrimination of income.

Referring to various steps for motivating people to pay taxes, he said the tax-related laws have been simplified.

Besides introducing the voluntary tax payment system, Dr Azizul Islam said impartiality and transparency have been created in the tax administration.

Terming the observance of the National Income Tax Day for state recognition to contribution of the taxpayers as time- befitting, he called upon all eligible people to pay taxes voluntarily.