RANGPUR, Feb 27, 2025 (BSS) - Internal Resources Division Secretary and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan has said that measures will be taken to reduce the long-standing inequality the region in the upcoming national budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
 
He said this while addressing the pre-budget discussion for the 2025-2026 fiscal year organized by Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and NBR at Begum Rokeya auditorium of the city's RDRS Bhaban on Thursday afternoon.
 
RCCI President Md. Akbar Ali presided over the discussion.

NBR Member (Tax Policy) AKM Badiul Alam and NBR Member (VAT Policy) Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf, President of Thakurgaon Chamber Alhaj Sharif Hossain, Director of Gaibandha Chamber Abdul Latif Haqqani, former President of Lalmonirhat Chamber Kamrul Hasan Bakul, President of Kurigram Chamber Md. Abdul Aziz Mia, Director of Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber Ali Ahmed Chand, prominent businessman Kawsar Zaman Babla, BSS Rangpur Divisional Correspondent Md. Mamun Islam, Rangpur Divisional President of Bangladesh Bread, Biscuit and Confectionery Owners Association Md. Reaz Shahid Shovon, President of Greater Rangpur District Bidi Workers Union Md. Amin Uddin BSc, Convener of Sonahat Land Port Importers’-Exporters’ Association Md. Iftekharul Islam Shyama, President of Rangpur Journalists Union Md. Salequzzaman Salek, Associate Professor of Accounting and Information Systems Department of Begum Rokeya University Omar Faruk, General Secretary of Rangpur District Motor Owners Association Wasim Bari Raj, and General Member of Rangpur Chamber Rashidus Sultan Bablu took part in the open discussion.

The speakers urged the chief guest to include the proposals made by the RCCI in the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on import duty, value added tax (VAT), income tax and other taxes and help move the backward Rangpur region forward
 

The NBR Chairman said that the people's demands will be reflected in the upcoming national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 this time.

“Rangpur region is very prosperous. Heroes like Nurul Din, Begum Rokeya and Abu Sayeed were born here. No region should fall into the trap of discrimination. All areas will be brought under tax,” he said
 

Last year, there were four lakh tax returns online. This time, 14.5 lakh tax returns have been received online.
 

He said, “Although the issue of reducing VAT is difficult, wowork will be done on this issue.  Work is also being done on surcharge for traders.”
 

The issue of honoring the best taxpayers and tax bravery recipients, including various awards, will be communicated to various government departments.

The VAT return process will be further simplified and tax payment will be made easier .

He said, “We are working on land registration fees. It will be simplified.”

“We will draw the government's attention to the Teesta Master Plan for the development of Rangpur,” he said.

The NBR Chairman expressed hope that the income tax and VAT net will be further expanded and sought full cooperation of the country’s business communities everywhere for expanding the tax periphery successfully.

Also present at the pre-budget discussion meeting were Commissioner of the Rangpur Division Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Dr. Abu Nur Rashed Ahmed, outgoing Tax Commissioner of Rangpur Tax Zone Md. Abdus Sabur Khan and newly joined Tax Commissioner Md. Mohidul Islam.

Government officials, directors of RCCI, its former presidents and directors, leaders of all district chambers of Rangpur division, importers and exporters, C&F agents, prominent businessmen and industrialists and journalists were present.