Human-chain staged demanding tax evasion on internet and digital devices

In the proposed budget for the financial year 2022-2023, the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers’ Association, an organization in the field of communication and technology, has organized a human chain to demand repeal of the new tax imposed on broadband internet, fiber, cable, mobile handsets, laptops, computers and technology products. On Thursday (June 16, 2022) morning, Mohiuddin Ahmed, the president of the organization, led a human chain in front of the National Press Club. Imdadul Haque, President, ISPAB- an internet service provider, expressed solidarity with the human chain and talked over mobile phone saying, "We are in solidarity with the demand of the customers. We want the government to provide uninterrupted broadband internet services at low cost at the marginal level in building Smart Bangladesh. But with the tax imposed in the proposed budget, it will be difficult to expand the network across the country and provide low-cost internet services at the marginal level. As well as marginal small internet traders will be in great dilemma. Central members of the organization Advocate Shaheda Begum, Swapan, Sheikh Farid, Md. Shahjahan, Central Joint Secretary General of National People's Party Emadul Haque Rana, Convener of Citizens' Thought Habibur Rahman, Member of Gana Sanghati Andolan Julhas Naim and Cashier of CAB spoke among others in the human chain. Speaking on the occasion, Mohiuddin Ahmed said that the government has been expanding its network across the country through Info Gov 2-3 since 2008 with the announcement of Digital Bangladesh to build a smart Bangladesh. It has already launched 5G on a trial basis to tackle the 4th Industrial Revolution. But the proposed budget would not only hamper the connectivity alone, but also impede the 4th Industrial Revolution by imposing a 10% new tax on broadband internet services and a 10% tax on fiber optical cable to prevent network access at the marginal level. He added that thirteen years have passed since the announcement of Digital Bangladesh. But so far, 50 percent of the country's population has not yet been able to access digital devices, high-speed uninterrupted networks, security and civil rights. Although the number of feature phone users is 61% and the number of smartphone users is 39%, the number of mobile handsets, laptops, computers and internet access devices is insignificant but the new tax structure on these products will discourage the use of this service. It is not possible to retrieve the actual information using the SIM of the mobile phone. Our long standing demand was for devices such as computers, laptops, mobiles, reducing the cost of tabs and providing quality devices to students and the general public. But in the current proposed budget, the new tax increase of 15 per cent for laptops and 5 per cent for mobile phones will go beyond the purchasing power of the people. Although the government provides benefits in the case of domestic products, the people of the country do not enjoy much of its benefits. The main reason for this is that in most cases the devices that are excluded from the quality of service are sold within the country and it cannot be said that the price is absolutely low. In addition, other technology products, including battery chargers, have been taxed. Another important issue is the network. Although the number of broadband internet subscribers is said to be 14 million, 90% of them are public and private state or commercial entities. The use of this service in homes or educational institutions has been on the rise for the last one year. Mohiuddin said that for a long time, 21.75 per cent tax at the customer level on mobile phone services and other taxes (direct and indirect + corporate + revenue sharing + tax on waves + investment + investment of operators) have to be paid which sums up about 57 per cent. At present, due to the decline in voice calls and SMS, the government's revenue loss is around Tk. 200 crore. We assumed that the loss would be offset by a reduction in taxes in the current financial year, but the reality is very sad. 5G has been launched but there is no announcement to reduce the tax on SIM tax and IoT devices. The government wants to deal with the fourth industrial revolution, but new taxes have been imposed on technology products. Conversely, in the case of fiber imports, the tax has been increased by 10 percent.