Govt organisations owe Tk515 crore in land taxes

Different government organisations owe over Tk515.7 crore in unpaid taxes to the Land Reforms Board with the dues rising by nearly 15% in eleven months since July last year.

The 15% rise is despite repayment of Tk17.65 crore land development tax.

Bangladesh Railway owes the most money to land revenue collectors with unpaid taxes of Tk193.64 crore. Illegal grabbing of huge amounts of its land has contributed to the rise in Railway’s taxes.

Railway Minister Md Zillul Hakim recently informed the parliament that 6.84-thousand acres of railway land are under illegal occupation.

Apart from Bangladesh Railway, the Road and Highways Department, Forest Department, Mongla Port authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, Public Works Department and Bangladesh Water Development Board owe the most land revenue, among state-operated organisations.

Local government entities also owe Tk59.3 crore in unpaid taxes cumulatively.

Unlike individual land tax payers, government organisations are required to pay no penalties nor are they accountable to anyone for deferring tax payments – making them more prone to accumulate dues.

Experts opine proper digitalisation of land tax collection procedures, accountability and steadfast efforts by the finance ministry can help in realising the unpaid dues.