Rangpur tobacco traders demand tax withdrawal

Tobacco cultivators and traders in Rangpur have called on the government to withdraw the 10 per cent tax on purchasing tobacco.

The Rangpur Tobacco Cultivator and Businessman Samiti made the call on Monday while forming a human chain in front of Rangpur Tax Commissioner Office to press home their five-point demands to protect the domestic tobacco and bidi industry.

Their demands also include allotting bank loans for the tobacco cultivators, eliminating 10 per cent income tax on bidis, stopping British American Tobacco’s from charging high interest in loans given to tobacco farmers, and ensuring the continuity of exporting tobacco abroad. At the end of the human chain, they presented a memorandum containing five-point demands to the Chairman of National Board of Revenue through the Rangpur Tax Commissioner.

Jamil Akter, leader of the association, presided over the programme while Co-organizing Secretary Abul Hasnat Lavlu moderated it.