MPs criticise provision for whitening

A number of ruling party lawmakers yesterday criticised the propose budget for keeping the provision of money whitening.
The ruling party, however, praised the budget by terming it chartered for change, pro-people and investment friendly.
During the budget discussion, several lawmakers said the provision went against the electoral manifesto of ruling Awami League (AL).
One AL lawmaker said it was disgraceful for a government to offer such a scope for whitening money when it had pledged to stand against corruption before elections.
"I hope this will be the end of such culture of extending opportunity to whiten money," Mazharul Haque Prodhan told the House while speaking on the proposed budget.
The AL lawmaker, however, urged the finance minister to raise the penalty tax to 20 from 10 percent.
Hafiz Ahmed Majumder was also vocal against the provision. He, however, said black money and undisclosed money are not same. Defining undisclosed money he said undisclosed money is earned legally but has not been declared by paying income tax.
The AL lawmakers severely censured the opposition lawmakers for criticising the proposed budget saying, those who had siphoned out money abroad and amassed wealth misusing power rejected the budget.