Jamaat demands withdrawal of VAT, SD

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday called for the immediate withdrawal of increased value-added taxes (VAT) and supplementary duties (SD) on approximately 100 products to alleviate the financial burden on the public.

In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Parwar expressed grave concern over the interim government’s recent decision to raise VAT and introduce new duties on various goods.

The Jamaat leader criticized the government for failing to implement
effective measures to control the rising prices of essential commodities, which have significantly increased the financial strain on ordinary citizens.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by households, Prof. Parwar stated, “The hike in VAT and the imposition of additional duties on over 100 products have placed the country’s citizens in a distressing situation.”

He further explained that the increased duties would inevitably lead to higher living costs, further straining people’s finances.

The government should have carefully considered the adverse effects of these taxes on the living standards of ordinary citizens, but it appears this crucial aspect was neglected, he added.

Professor Parwar urged the government to promptly reverse the VAT hikes and supplementary duties to ease the financial pressures on the general population, according to the statement.