DHAKA: The High Court issued another rule upon the government asking to explain within three weeks why imposing 7.5 percent VAT on private universities would not be declared illegal.

The bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif and Justice JN Deb Chowdhury issued the rule Monday after hearing the writ petition.

Barrister Nazmul Huda moved for the petition.

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

On August 19, 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.

The petitioners are--- 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.

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 colleges.

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

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.

Earlier on August 9, in response to another 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.

BDST: 1508 HRS, AUG 24, 2015
RS/SMS