DHAKA: A writ petition was filed in the High Court seeking stay of the government decision on imposing 7.5 percent VAT on private universities, medical colleges and engineering colleges.

Four students including Dhaka International University law department student Azizur Rahman Khan, East West University BBA student Eklasur Rahman, Bangladesh University of Business Technology BBA student Rezaul Islam Khan filed the petition on Wednesday.

The HC bench of Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice J N Deb Chowdhury is likely to hear the petition on Thursday.

However, Barrister Nazmul Huda will move for the petitioners.

Earlier on August 9, in response to a writ petition, the HC issued a rule upon the government asking to explain within three weeks why imposing 7.5 percent VAT on private universities would not be declared illegal.

Barrister Hasan MS Azim moved for the petition.

Earlier on August 4, Daffodil International University’s law department teacher Khandaker Didar-us-Salam, student Arif Mahmud and the varsity’s journalism department student Farhad Hossain filed the writ petition challenging the gazette notification, issued by NBR in this regard.

On June 30, the budget for the next fiscal year was passed with a provision of 7.5% VAT on tuition fees of private universities and private medical and engineering colleges.

Later on July 4, National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a gazette notification imposing 7.5% VAT on tuition fees.

Finance secretary, education secretary, NBR secretary, University Grant Commission (UGC) chairman were made respondents of the rule.

According to the writ petition, though VAT has been imposed on private university students, no VAT was imposed public university students. It is a discriminatory decision.

BDST: 1322 HRS, AUG 19, 2015
RS/RR
** No VAT reduction for private uni