Progressive tax reform for attaining SDGs stressed

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RAJSHAHI, Nov 5, 2017 (BSS)- Speakers at a consultation here today called for progressive tax reform to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They viewed a progressive and skilled tax system is needed for ensuring social welfare through removing revenue deficit.

The observation came in a divisional consultation relating to the existing tax and value added tax at SK Food World restaurant in the city. Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), an NGO, organised the meeting under its campaign styled ‘Towards Pro-poor and Progressive Tax System in Bangladesh’.

Joining the discussion as chief guest Omor Faruque Chowdhury, MP, underscored the need for expanding the area of income tax and VAT for more revenue collection.

Enhanced area of tax and VAT can be the effective means of supplementing the government efforts to make the country self-reliant in economy, he added. With CGG local unit president Akbarul Hassan Millat in the chair, Deputy Commissioner of Taxes Kaosar Ali, social worker Shahin Akhter Rainy and former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Prof Nurul Alam also spoke. CGG local unit general secretary Azizur Rahman moderated the discussion.

Focal person of the divisional consultation Golam Faruque presented a concept paper on the issue. He underlined the need for formulating pro-poor and best tax policy for ensuring tax justice everywhere in the society.

Prof Nurul Alam said emphasis should be given on creating more mass-awareness for boosting tax collection in the greater interest of making the country economically self-reliant.

Transparency and accountability should be ensured in the tax collection system so that more eligible people will be encouraged to pay tax, he added.