Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The students of different private universities in Dhaka continued their protest, blocking key streets and disrupting traffic movement on Sunday to eliminate the vat imposed on higher education.
The Dhaka city dwellers were seen to walk in masses to reach their destinations.
Sometimes, they resorted on rickshaws which were the lone mood of transport in the blockade-prone areas.
Taking the advantages of the situation, the rickshaw-pullers hiked the fare, worsening the circumstances.
The school kids were also seen returning their home from schools on feet.
AMA Muhith, the present finance minister of Bangladesh Awami League government, first introduced a 10% VAT upon higher education in private universities in the draft of budget 2015-16.
Upon the strong protestation, the amount of vat was reduced to 7.5%.
On 22 June, law enforcement authorities foiled a procession of private university students heading for the finance ministry building to press home their demands.
In the start of August, 2015 the government announced they would not withdraw the vat and the students must pay the vat which sparked outrage among students.
On 9 September, on a protestation by the students of East West University, police open fired.
This caused an outburst and the cause was immediately supported by thousand other students from different universities.
The situation took momentum on 10 September, as students from different private universities blockaded roads over vat on tuition fees.
The protestation was sparked by controversial statements by Finance Minister Muhith but he stood firm on the announcement for the vat to stay.
The government also issued a circular stating the vat was imposed on the private university authorities and the students need not pay.
BBN/SS/ANS