Staff Correspondent:

Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader has said that the National Revenue Board (NBR) has imposed 15 per cent value added tax (VAT) on Metro Rail. But, it cannot be acceptable. It’s a wrong decision. The reputation of Metro Rail will be affected if VAT is imposed. Is there any VAT on Metro Rail in India? There is no VAT on Metro Rail in India. Why should we imposed VAT. I informed the prime minister about it. She said she would consider the matter.”

Quader was addressing as the chief guest at the ‘Branding Seminar on Dhaka Metro Rail’ held at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Sunday.

The Road Transport minister said the reputation of Metro Rail will be tarnished if VAT is imposed. “I have raised the issue at a cabinet meeting and the prime minister assured of reconsidering the matter.”

Comparing the transport systems around the world, Quader said, “The buses now plying in Dhaka are so poor and dilapidated! We see on television that small buses ply on the roads in Africa which look very charming. But, the buses plying in this Dhaka city are dilapidated.”

“We couldn’t resolve the issue of dilapidated buses holding meetings with the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority). These dilapidated buses don’t match with the status of Dhaka city. Today, our Buriganga (river) is finished, Karnaphuli (river) is also finished,” he said.

Drawing attention to the Metro Rail again, Quader said: “Our Metro Rail is very beautiful. There’s no sound pollution. In spite of it, the pillars of the Metro Rail have been filled with posters. Now the pillars look very untidy and dirty. But, the Metro Rail is our resource. The government’s target is to finish the construction work of six MRT lines by 2030.”

Addressing the Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam, Quader said: “Please extend your cooperation. It looks very painful witnesses the buses plying on the roads. How do you feel witnessing

the poor and dilapidated buses after getting off the Metro Rail? Don’t our minibus owners feel shy? Don’t they go abroad? Don’t they see buses there?”

Speaking at the seminar, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) managing director MAN Siddique said they have requested the government to reconsider imposing VAT on Metro Rail. “Pressure would rise on the DMTCL if 15 per cent VAT is imposed from July 1 next. Then we will have to realise it from passengers.”

With Road Transport and Highways Division secretary ABM Aminullah Noori in the chair, the seminar was also attended by DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rezwan Ahmed Towfique, Japanese Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori and JICA Chief Representative in Bangladesh Ichiguchi Tomohide.