Members of Parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh will be able to import electric and hybrid vehicles under duty-free facility from now on along with other fuel-run vehicles.
The lawmakers will be able to import one up to 2,000 CC Hybrid motor car or micro-bus, or up to 4,500 CC hybrid jeep or one electric motor-run vehicle or other vehicles with only electric motor propulsion under duty-free facility.
There are also prevailing benefits for an MP to import a 1,650 CC petrol or gasoline-run motor vehicle or up to 1,800 CC diesel-run motor vehicle or up to 2,000 CC microbus, up to 3000 cc petrol or gasoline-run jeep, 4,500 cc diesel-run jeep.
An MP can import one vehicle during his tenure without having to pay customs duty, sales tax, development surcharge and import permit fee.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) allowed the extended facility for the policymakers from Wednesday issuing a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) signed by NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem.
Talking to the FE, a senior customs official said the duty-free facility for import of vehicles by lawmakers had been offered for those two types of vehicles following their world-wide popularity.
He said all other benefits for importing vehicles under the duty-free facility would remain unchanged.
As per Customs Act, 1969 (Act no IV of 1969), section 19, sub-section (1) and Value Added Tax (VAT) and Supplementary Duty Act-2012 (2012, law 47), section 126, sub-section 1, the MPs (remuneration and allowances) order, 1973 (P.O No 28 of 1973) Article 3C, enjoy the facility.
Through the latest SRO, the NBR amended the previous SRO issued on June 29, 2010, offering the duty-free facility for MPs.
The MPs got back the privilege of importing duty-free vehicles that was scrapped in June 2007 by the caretaker government following allegations of gross abuse of the duty-free facility.
The duty-free benefit on import of vehicles was introduced during HM Ershad's rule on May 24, 1987.
doulot_akter@yahoo.com