115 taxpayers awarded in Ctg, Khulna
A total of 38 persons from Chattogram, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Cox’s Bazar were awarded yesterday as best taxpayers under four categories.
The award crests for fiscal 2018-19 highlighted the highest amount of tax paid by a person, woman and under-40 youth and taxpayer of the longest period.
The recognition came at a ceremony organised by Income Tax Department at GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram city.
Addressing it as chief guest, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said income tax in Bangladesh accounted for 10 percent of the GDP, lower than that in Nepal.
Honouring taxpayers aims at encouraging people to pay tax and such programmes need to be extended to the upazila level, he said.
One crore people are liable to pay taxes but they do not feel it to be their duty, said the minister, adding, “Our GDP has increased fourfold but the number of taxpayers has not increased at the expected rate.”
Chattogram Tax Circle-2 Commissioner Abul Kalam Kaikobad chaired the programme.
Meanwhile, Khulna Income Tax Zone awarded 77 people from Khulna City Corporation, 10 districts and five pourasavas, reports a correspondent.
Addressing as chief guest at the programme at a city hotel, Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said there was no alternative to paying taxes on time for the development and prosperity of the country.
It is not acceptable that only 2.5 million people pay tax in a country of 160 million, he said. Khulna Tax Commissioner Proshanta Kumar Roy presided over the event.
