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PRE-BUDGET INTERVIEW

Steps to plug graft loopholes in tax systems needed

MCCI president talks to She the daily star

MONJUR MAHMUD
A businessperson paying taxes properly feels discouraged in the present context when he or she sees another person easily evade taxes, said Kutubuddin Ahmed, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
So, measures to plug corruption loopholes in tax systems are really needed, he told The Daily Star in a pre-budget interview.
Poor management has crippled the tax administration and bringing about a significant change in the administrative structure is vital for improving the situation, he said.
There are weaknesses in all major areas of the tax administration. The overall management should be overhauled so that every body within the administration is motivated, he felt recommending the decentralisation of the tax administration.
"Every tax division should have its respective target and customs officials may be given incentives so that they feel encouraged to work hard."
Customs officials are not paid well. Better salary package for tax people is needed to curb corruption, Kutubuddin felt citing examples of Singapore where government officials are highest paid people.
Those who will not work properly should be punished. At the same time, those who are sincere and work hard must be rewarded, the MCCI president went on.
Appointment of a tax ombudsman can bring about a significant change in the present scenario, he said adding that people should be motivated to pay taxes and an internet-based system can help stimulate the taxpayers.
Introducing a system to collect revenue at sources will also help better recovery, he said.
There should be transparency in the government expenditure. Citing example of the annual development programme (ADP), Kutubuddin observed it is not a good practice to implement ADP projects at a snail's pace in almost 10 months and the major portion in the last two months.
Most of the works can be done during November to April period and it will also ensure best use of the limited resources, he explained adding that there must be transparency and accountability in implementing the projects. Delay in implementing a project for a year pushes the overall cost 10 percent up.
Referring to the Ashulia link road, he added that it has generated thousands of jobs. So, timely implementation of the projects can help create more employments. Private sector can be involved in implementing infrastructure projects, which will help make best use of resources and reduce pressure on limited resources.
"We have to improve our level in technical education so as to compete with rest of the world," he said. "There has been a good demand for nurses globally. So, steps may be taken to provide them with better training to encourage them to go abroad."
There should be a consistency in the government policy as frequent change hampers business heavily. In case of any policy shift, business people should be given adequate time so that they can get a chance to change the nature of their businesses, Kutubuddin said.
The MCCI president stressed the need for continuing tax holiday, saying misuse of tax holiday is again entirely a management problem.