Stop tax collection during pandemic

BNP yesterday alleged that the government is collecting tax from people pushing them towards extreme sufferings.

"In the prevailing crisis, electricity bill, income tax, advance income tax, municipality tax and other tax collections should be suspended as people's sufferings are already huge," said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Addressing a virtual press conference, the BNP leader said during this pandemic "ghost" electricity bill is being prepared.

Fakhrul said a total of 73 party leaders died from Covid-19 across the country and 284 got infected.

"There might be many other infected leaders and activists beyond list," he added.

He said his party gave financial and other assistance to 54,12,416 families from March 20 to June 24.

Apart from BNP, its associate bodies distributed masks, hand sanitisers and safety gears among people across the country.

The BNP leader said many lost their lives and it is not possible for the government alone to overcome the situation.

"To face this crisis, the government did not behave responsibly, cordially and in coordinated way," he said.

If the government was elected and democratic, it would be able to solve the problem.

Turning to the issue of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul said although she was not infected with coronavirus, her treatment for other problems are being hampered due to this pandemic.