Ctg port halts release of late Sajeda Chy’s imported car
The National Board of Revenue appears to be in a dilemma over releasing an imported luxury car under the duty-free facility in the name of the former leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury.
Sajeda Chowdhury, a lawmaker from Faridpur-2, passed away at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital on September 11 last year.
The same day, her C&F agent Navana Ltd submitted documents online for the release of a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser from the Chattogram port.
Customs halted the clearance process because, as per law, the vehicle could not be released under the duty-free facility as she died before it could happen.
MPs get the opportunity once in five years to import cars under the duty-free facility for the purpose of carrying out parliamentary duties.
Sajeda, a presidium member of the Awami League, imported the 3,346cc vehicle from Singapore under the duty-free facility as an MP.
Duty on this imported vehicle is around Tk 4.5 crore. The vehicle has been purchased from Toyota Tsusho Asia Pacific Ltd of Singapore for Tk 81.74 lakh, according to documents.
A few days after submitting the documents online, Navana Ltd provided hard copies to Customs seeking the duty-free facility under special consideration.
Chattogram Custom House Deputy Commissioner HM Kabir told The Daily Star, "There is no scope for duty exemption for the vehicle under the existing law. A letter has been sent to the NBR for its opinion on the C&F agent's application on behalf of the former MP's family members. Further steps will be taken upon receiving the opinion."
According to an NBR official, the opportunity to import cars duty-free is given to MPs to carry out their parliamentary duties.
"As per law, it is not possible to redeem this facility, as the car will not be used for parliamentary duties," said the NBR official preferring anonymity.
He also said a letter was sent to the law ministry seeking its opinion on the application of the former MP's family members on November 17.
However, the law ministry is yet to respond to that letter.
Contacted, Joint Secretary (Opinion) of the Law and Justice Department Ummey Kulsum told The Daily Star, "We will convey the ministry's opinion in writing to the NBR. And we cannot share it publicly before informing the NBR first."
Meanwhile, on condition of anonymity, another law ministry official said the NBR has the authority to grant duty exemptions under special circumstances under Section 20 of the Customs Act, 1969.
The official said the NBR exercised this power in 2019 when it granted the facility to the former finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith at a time when he was not an MP.
The official also claimed that they spoke about the matter with the NBR so the latter could make its own decision.
However, a top NBR official told The Daily Star that they drew a lot of flak after the 2019 incident, adding that they did not want to face a similar backlash.
"This time, we want to avoid doing what we did in 2019. That's why we sought the ministry's opinion to settle the matter as per law," he said.
Contacted, Navana Ltd Assistant General Manager Ripon Prakash Das said, "We have applied to the ministry, NBR, and Customs for the duty-free facility to release the car as it has been lying at the port for nearly three and a half months."
He said if released, the vehicle could be used by family members of the deceased MP.
It may be noted that official vehicles are available to MPs for five years at a time and can be kept for personal use after paying the duty initially waved.
The Daily Star tried to reach the family of Sajeda for comments but failed despite repeated attempts.
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