Court Correspondent :
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court will hear arguments from the Newspapers Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) while holding a hearing on two separate leave to appeal petitions filed against the High Court judgment that declared the recommendation made by the Cabinet Committee in Ninth Wage Board Award for journalists and workers of newspapers and news agencies, about income tax and gratuity, illegal.
The Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order on Sunday, asking NOAB to present their arguments through lawyer on April 21 and the apex court adjourned the case till that day.
Senior Advocate Salahuddin Dolon took part in the hearing for Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha BSS Employees’ Union.
He was assisted by Advocates SM Mahidul Islam Sojib, Tofayel Ahmed and Didarul Alam, while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Bisws argued on behalf of the state.
“NOAB didn’t represent at the High Court hearing of the case. So the apex court will hear their arguments.
It passed order, issuing notices against NOAB President and General Secretary and adjourned the hearing till April 21,” Barrister Salahuddin Dolon said.
The senior jurist said that they placed their arguments in support of the High Court judgment in this regard.
“There is no reason for the state to be aggrieved by that judgment. The concerned authorities or the owners had so far been paying the income tax of the journalists, press workers and administrative employees of the news papers and news agencies as fringe benefit. This benefit was maintained up to Eighth Wage Board.
Recommendation was made to maintain this at the Ninth Wage Board, as well,” he added.
The Appellate Division Chamber Judge Court on July 24 of last year, sent the case to the apex court regular bench after primary hearing on the appeal. The court set the new date, without staying the High Court judgment.
“The High Court on November 6, 2022, passed its judgment, declaring absolute a rule issued in this regard in 2020.
As per the judgment, income tax levied on the salaries of journalists, press workers and administrative employees of the news papers and news agencies have to be paid by the concerned owners or news agencies.
The state, however, filed separate appeals against the judgment,” Barrister Dolon further said.