Minister of Road Transport and Bridges and General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured to reconsider the issue of imposing 15 percent VAT on metro rail tickets.
He said these things at the branding seminar of Dhaka Metrorail organized by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) at a hotel in the capital on May 19.
Obaidul Quader said, ‘Our NBR has suddenly announced 15 percent VAT on tickets of the popular transport metro rail. I have informed the Prime Minister about this. This decision of NBR is wrong. It doesn’t happen. This will damage the reputation of Metrorail. The Prime Minister has assured to review it.’
He said, ‘Our NBR (National Board of Revenue) has announced imposition of 15 percent VAT on metro rail. It can’t be, color decision. Does Metrorail have VAT in India? There is no VAT in India, why should we impose VAT?’
Obaidul Quader said, ‘Metrorail, elevated express in the Prime Minister’s plan. His multifaceted plan for Bangladesh. Dhaka is an integral part of it. Those who use it, let them protect the precious resource.’
The Road Transport Minister said that the condition of Bangladesh’s capital is not very good under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. In this city, the car is so expensive, but why is the condition of the bus so bad! We must get rid of this situation.
He said, ‘The buses that run in Dhaka are very bad. I am ashamed of it. Our owners don’t go abroad, don’t see! Why look so shabby! I will tell the mayors of the north and south to look into this matter, it is not in line with your efforts.’
Obaidul Quader said, “To make Bangladesh smart, Dhaka has to be made smart. There is no use in ‘lip service’. There is no noise pollution like the metro rail that Japan has provided using the latest technology.”
Bridge Minister said, ‘Metrorail is our asset. Six MRT lines will be completed in 2030. Both of these are subways. Dhaka is an integral part of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s plan.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rezwan Ahmed Taufiq, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited MAN Siddique, Ambassador of Japan Ewama attended the event under the chairmanship of Road Transport and Highways Department Secretary ABM Aminullah Noori. Kiminori and JICA Bangladesh Representative Ichiguchi Tomohodi were present.