Though an income of Tk 20,833 per month sounds a lot, but one can barely make ends meet with that income in Dhaka city, assuming that majority of the citizens within this income bracket are living in this metropolis. It would be unjust to tax people with that income given current living expenditure level, inadequate utility supply, and the absence of any benefits (i.e. unemployment, social security, etc).

It is ironic that cigarettes, one of the top health hazards, are cheapest in countries with lowest standard of health care. The reason is the systematic exploitation of corrupt governments by the large international conglomerates that control the global market. Unfortunately, since a large population is "hooked" on this drug, a uniform tax increase will hurt people of low income. Therefore, additional taxes on expensive cigarettes may relieve the "biri" smokers from a price hike. The ban on imported cigarettes should be lifted but taxed heavily, since banning anything which is legally available elsewhere will only hurt the government and consumer whilst befitting smugglers and sellers.

I recall that a few years back, one of the notorious industrialists (currently in custody) almost succeeded in passing beer as a "halal" drink. Subsequently a beer plant was set up at a huge cost which has been sitting idle since, and may become obsolete now that it may be attached by the ACC as part of the recovery process of his ill-gotten wealth. It would be a shame if this plant becomes obsolete as it was built with the money that belonged to his victims: be it the NBR or the land owner who was forced to sell at a fraction of market price.

One of best breweries in Asia is located in Pakistan, a Muslim country where alcohol is strictly prohibited. I don't see why Bangladesh, a secular country with legal outlets for selling alcohol, should deprive itself from earning local and international revenue (through export) by utilising this plant under private or government management. Likewise, additional taxes on imported liquor will have a positive effect on the sale of "carew" and to the bottom-line of revenue collection by NBR.

I was impressed and disgusted at the same time by an advertisement of a local real estate company touting 7000 sq. ft. flats in Baridhara. Few flats in that building would match the Tk 25 crore government fund set up for the welfare of RMG labours. We have cars that sell for more than 2 crore. Imported LCD televisions for 5 lakhs. Mobile phones costing more than 50,000. A visit to Agora or Nondon reminds me of my days in the US as most items are available here close to prices (in $ terms) I used to pay there.

We are used to calling people industrialists here (Bangladesh) who import consumer goods and sell them to the public with a hefty margin given our appetite and desire for foreign goods. I would rather call them dis-industrialists as they kill the local industries. These are luxury items for citizens of Bangladesh. These are the items that should be taxed heavily.

It would take years before the infrastructure is set to bring most citizens and businesses under the tax net. Until then, if NBR focuses on the "big fishes" and the large local and international conglomerates, it will be successful in collecting more revenue than going after people making less than $300 a month. The NBR should take a "Top Down" approach not a "Bottom Up" one.

Asif Anwar is a Financial Markets Professional.