Sylhet, Bangladesh (BBN)- The value added tax (VAT) imposed on private universities should be realised and it would not be reduced, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said on Friday.
Relying to a question after distributing foods among destitute children here marking the national mourning day, he said "I have no support to the students who are involved in the movement against it (VAT). As they can pay BDT 30,000 to 50,000 as tuition fees, they can also pay 7.5 per cent VAT".
City Awami League president and former mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran and district AL general secretary Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury were, among others, were present on the occasion.
The minister said the government imposed VAT on tuition fees for higher education in all private universities, medical and engineering colleges in the recently-passed national budget.
Later, Mr. Muhith inaugurated the newly constructed Jame Mosque at a cost of BDT 12.9 million on 11 decimal lands by Sylhet City Corporation at Doapadighirpar in the city before the Juma prayer.
BBN/SSR/AD