Editorial
Duty-free cars for MPs
It comes at a huge cost
The finance minister AMA Muhith gave an account of how majority of lawmakers have imported expensive cars on a duty-free basis on Monday. He has also explained how much money the national exchequer has been denied just to go by this entitlement.
The cost to the public exchequer is estimated at Tk.10 billion in terms of unpaid taxes. The question is does it behove the elected public representatives of a country of which the majority population is poor? And is it ethical on their part to take advantage of this kind of privilege stretching it too far oblivious of how people might take it?
Of course, the need for suitable vehicles to visit their constituencies cannot be overemphasised. But what is at issue here is the application of discretion in terms of enjoying entitlements. Although resale has gone down lately, nonetheless some may be still taking place.
The argument that the MPs have not committed any wrong as they acted within their rights does not stand to reason. Because, the objective of the government in creating the provision of tax-free cars for MPs was definitely not meant for such wastage of money. The idea of supplying them with tax-free vehicles for increased mobility is acceptable. But what is at issue is discretion in using a privilege.
The redeeming feature amidst this widespread craving for luxury is that only a minority of some 35 MPs including the Leader of the House Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have showed some discretion in using the opportunity.
While the PM and the opposition leader have set an example before the nation with their decency and consideration for the people, it is worthwhile to note that their gesture hardly inspired their party colleagues.
It may be recalled that the arrangement was introduced during the reign of Ershad as an inducement for lawmakers to buy their loyalty. Unfortunately, far from scrapping this unethical practice, or limiting it to modest specifications, the successive elected governments since 1991 have kept it intact.
After the revelation at the Jatiya Sangsad, it is time the government had a rethink of the provision of allowing such privilege for the MPs in a no-holds-barred manner. This is especially necessitated by their position as public representatives and lawmakers in view of the fact that other citizens have to pay taxes.
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