The interim government gives final approval for two draft ordinances to broaden independence of the Election Commission ahead of crucial polls and also endorses revenue-raising rules.
Officials said the approvals came at a meeting of the Advisory Council held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) in the city's Tejgaon area with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
They said the Advisory Council gave final approval, in principle, for several draft financial laws prepared under the auspices of the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Supplementary Duty Act 2012 has been amended to allow VAT exemptions in specific cases through special orders.
Additionally, the Income Tax Act 2023 has been amended to raise the withholding tax on investments in government securities or approved securities by corporate taxpayers from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
Besides, a provision has also been introduced to treat tax collection from commercially operated buses and transport sectors as final taxable income.
The EC law amendments pave the way to create the EC Services for recruitment and postings of EC officials.
"There is also an amendment to ensure punishments for the election officials for indulging in irregularities," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, said at a press briefing after council meeting.
The council approved the proposals for amending the Election Officers Act (Special Principal Act, Law No. 13 of 1991) and the Election Commission Secretariat Act (Law No. 5 of 2009).
Shafiq notes that these amendments will accelerate the Commission's work ahead of the elections.
The press secretary added that the Chief Adviser has instructed the ministries to prepare a list of the reforms that the Commission itself has undertaken.
In this regard, he said, "We are seeing that the ministries and advisers have carried out more reforms than those proposed by the reform commissions."
In response to a journalist's question about four political leaders accompanying the Chief Adviser on his US visit, the press secretary said, "This year's UN session is very important. They are our partners. At the Chief Adviser's invitation, they are joining him on the US trip."
(Inputs taken from BSS)
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