The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit yesterday said that Ministers and Members of Parliament will have to disclose their assets from next month.

He said the move of making wealth accounts of elected representatives available to the public wasmentioned in the election manifesto of Awami League.

"We were unable to take the initiative so far this month, but are enforcing it from February," Muhit told newsmen after his first meeting with National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials.

He said the NBR would collect the wealth accounts to target tax evaders.

"A group of wealth monsters have been created in our country, we must see whether they pay their taxes," he said. Muhit said none of the tax evaders will be spared, and to this effect political identity will not be considered. "No matter the evader is in our party or in the government. We are not the government of any one party, we are the government of the country of the people," he said.

The finance minister also pointed out revenue from import duty and VAT might decline due to the current global economic recession. "Under this circumstance, there is no alternative to enhancing internal resources."

Muhit hinted price of diesel could be reduced further, and fertiliser may follow soon.

"The price of diesel could be lowered a little more in line with the global trend," he said.

He said that budgetary constraints would be taken into account before such a decision.

"The situation of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) must be considered."