Hasan Mahmud: NBR has no authority to stop Nora Fatehi’s event

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the National Board of Revenue (NBR) can act on collecting tax or VAT but it has no authority to stop the Nora Fatehi event.

He said the minister has allowed the concerned parties to hold a programme in Bangladesh with Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi.

The minister said these while talking to the journalists after launching a book on tourism attractions in Bangladesh at the ministry.

The ministry also issued a letter yesterday over the Nora Fatehi episode that stated that the government has granted permission to the artiste to maintain all necessary processes for the shooting of the aforementioned documentary. She will be allowed to visit Dhaka on November 18 just for filming.

The letter also stated that the ministry requested all concerned are requested to provide necessary assistance to participate in Nora Fatehi in the documentary, as she will take part in the theme song of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Earlier on Monday, the NBR issued an order saying Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi and other foreign artistes and celebrities would not be able to come to Dhaka without paying tax at source.

For participating in a programme in Bangladesh, there is a mandatory provision of paying 30 per cent tax at source on the paid and unpaid amount to the foreign artistes mentioned in the agreement alongside the food and accommodation cost in line with the Income Tax Ordinance, read the order.