2 senior AL lawmakers blast corruption and tax proposals on pvt universities

Prof Md Ali Ashraf, a frontline Awami League MP from Cumilla-7, on Sunday said that corruption and money laundering continue despite the government’s vow to stop the vices.

Also on Sunday, another senior ruling party MP Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir from Chandpur-1 castigated the budget proposals to impose taxes on the income of private universities and medical colleges.

Both the legislators were speaking on the Supplementary Budget in the parliament.

Ali Ashraf said, “Our heads go down with shame and hate due to some big thieves.” This is not for what the nation had fought the Liberation War, he said.

“We took part in the country’s Liberation War not for love for our own lives… not with the hope of getting and enjoying something,” he said.

“We had fought in response to the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to free the people and to see smile on their faces,” he said.

He said that although the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government unequivocally have vowed zero tolerance against corruption and those involved in money laundering, “I think adequate and proper steps should be taken in this regard.”

The AL MP also suggested that the government should overhaul the tax administration to increase its efficiency, transparency, honesty and sincerity. “Otherwise, we will not be able to reach our desired destination.”

Lawmaker Muhiuddin Khan criticized the government for imposing tax on the income of private universities and medical colleges in the budget for fiscal 2021-22.

He said, such measures are not education friendly.

He mentioned that spreading of education through private entrepreneurship will be hindered due to imposing of such tax.

Mohiuddin Khan also proposed that the government forms a bank commission and a tax commission for bringing reforms in these two sectors.