Withdraw additional VAT on internet: eminent citizens demand

Forty-four eminent citizens of the country today demanded withdrawal of additional Value Added Tax (VAT) on internet use to avoid negative impact on online education during the coronavirus crisis.

In a joint statement, they said that they were concerned about imposition of a two-layered VAT on the wholesale price of bandwidth and its retail price.

"During the coronavirus crisis, education is now gradually becoming dependent on ICT and  [focus is on] online education. We are concerned that imposing a double layer of VAT on internet can have a negative impact on education," the statement read.

According to internet service providers, students who used to pay TK 1,000 as internet bill will have to pay TK 1,300- Tk1,400 now, it said adding, "It is against fulfilling the target of Digital Bangladesh."

If the situation continues, education and concerned sectors will fall in risk and that will delay the process of achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

"There is a risk that all achievements of the education sector will face a hurdle. There are indications that disparity among privileged and unprivileged is on the rise. This is anti-constitutional and this is unwanted in this Mujib Borsho," said the statement.

Dhaka School of Economics founder Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chief Adviser of East West University Prof Mohammed Farashuddin, rights activist Sultana Kamal, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Prof and writer Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Selina Hossain, Power and Participation Research Centre Executive Chairman Hossain Zillur Rahman, Bangladesh Federation of Women Entrepreneurs President Rokia Afzal Rahman, Brac Bangladesh Executive Director Asif Saleh, former University Grants Commission chairman Nazrul Islam, educationists Syed Manzoorul Islam, Mohammad Kaykobad, MM Akash, Campaign for Popular Education Executive Director Rasheda K Choudhury, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam, Action Aid country director Farah Kabir, cultural activists Ramendu Majumdar, Mamunur Rashid and Ilias Kanchon are among the signatories in the statement.

All educational institutions have remained closed since March 17. The closure was extended till August 6.

As a result, education of about four crore students in the country, from primary to university level, has been affected due to the pandemic as they cannot attend in-person classes. Currently, many institutions are offering online classes, mostly through social media sites.

Yet, online education remains inaccessible to many, mainly in rural areas.

Besides the cost, the speed of mobile internet connection, while moderate in urban areas, is quite poor in most rural locations, where broadband providers are almost absent.