The decision to sell duty-free cars in the name of former MPs

The government has decided to sell duty-free 50 luxury cars in the name of ex-members of parliament at Chittagong port.

Finance and trade advisor of the interim government on Wednesday. Saleh Uddin Ahmed informed this information.

He said that it would not be right to send back the duty-free vehicles stuck at Chittagong port in the name of former MPs. If sent back, the country will lose revenue. Therefore, instructions have been given to ease the conditions for selling these vehicles.

According to Chittagong Port sources, the Jatiya Sangsad was declared dissolved before the 50 luxury cars brought to the duty-free facility reached Chittagong Port. As a result, the cars have to pay a duty of at least 6 crore rupees to get the discount. Their import value is in crores of rupees.

Officials of Chittagong Customs House said that no one will get the benefit of duty-free car discount now because there is no member of Parliament. To get these car discounts, you have to pay the prescribed duty. But every car of 4000 cc will have to pay duty at the rate of 826 percent.

They said that a few days before the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, some members of parliament had redeemed their cars. Among them were former member of parliament cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, actor Ferdous Ahmed and some others. However, many ministers and MPs, including former member of parliament, barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Sumon, could not get the car discounted.

According to customs sources, most of the cars have been imported from Japan and Singapore under the tariff facility. The engine capacity of Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Jeep, Toyota LC station wagon model is 4000 cc. Members of Parliament can import cars at duty-free facilities once every five years. Tax on such vehicles can be up to 810 percent; But MPs don't have to pay it.

In the budget for the current financial year 2024-25, a 25 percent duty was proposed on MPs' cars. Ultimately the proposal was not accepted.

Bangladesh /SBT