A writ has been filed with the High Court seeking to overturn the government’s decision to hike entry fees at launch terminals across the country.
Supreme Court Advocate Abu Taleb submitted the petition on Monday and said there might be a court hearing on Tuesday at the bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and KM Kamrul Kader.
The writ also seeks a ruling asking the government to explain why the decision should to be declared illegal.
Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Finance, Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) were made respondent for the writ among nine others.
Citing the petition, the Advocate Abu Talebsaid thatthe BIWTA's decision came intoeffectfrom October 1 andincreased the entry fee for each person at the building (Paka) terminals from Tk 5 to Tk 10 and at the tin-shed terminals from Tk 3 to Tk 5.
The BIWTA took the decision on September 15.
He also said BIWTA can increase the entry fees under ‘BIWTA Ordinance 1958’. However, the government did not formulate any law under the ordinance before hiking the entry fees.Therefore,the decision to increase entry fees at launch terminals is illegal, he concluded.
On Oct 2, the lawyer sent a noticedemanding the respondent answer within 25 days. The respondent has not answered.