Editorial
The taxman cometh!
Let his new powers not be abused
Taxmen under the provisions of this year's budget will be able to exercise powers of a summary kind. They can instantly freeze the assets of tax dodgers, which means they can have banks freeze accounts if they are convinced that some foul play is going on. The new powers mean a change. Where earlier the National Board of Revenue could ask banks to freeze the assets of defaulters or tax dodgers, it will now be these taxmen who will immediately clamp down on people engaged in financial wrongdoing.
On the face of it, the decision appears to be a well-considered one given the extent to which tax evasion has gone on in Bangladesh over the past many decades. Indeed, where an aversion to a payment of taxes has been something of a norm, such an empowerment of officials responsible for ensuring that the state is not deprived of what rightly belongs to it is welcome. But then comes the necessary question: what guarantee is there that the job will be done to public satisfaction? There are, after all, the old questions related to corruption on the part of the powerful. In the new circumstances, the nation must be convinced that these taxmen will use their powers in the public interest, that they will not themselves fall prey to the temptation of greed. Again, in a society where the powerful, despite the wrongs they have committed, have always gone free and where the weak have been pounced on, it makes sense to ask if such a measure can indeed work.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments