The VAT payers are facing harassment at the hands of lower divisional assistants in the office of VAT, Customs and Excise at Tejgaon in the capital while applying for Value-Added Tax registration.
Allegations had it that the low-level staff members were forcing the VAT applicants to part with moneyto getthe VAT registration papers from the head office in the city’s Kakrail area.
Seeking anonymity, a VAT payer said he went to the Tejgaon office for registration, but the lower divisional assistant (LDA) brazenly asked him to spare some money to get the paper early.
The LDA also made an excuse that it would cost him some money to send papers to the head office, and ultimately demanded Tk1,500 from him, added the victim.
“I had no way but to succumb to him and part with the amount of money demanded,” said the businessman.
Following the exchange, the lower-staff member asked the VAT applicant to approach the office three days later to get the registration paper.
Requesting anonymity, a businessman hopeful narrated that he was also victim of harassment at the hands of the blue collar guys.
“I was hoping to start a business on my own, and so, brought all necessary papers including Tax Identification Number, National ID Card and Trade Licence to Tejgaon office, but still they were asking me to give them some money,” he said.
Asked why they were forcing the VAT payers to give them bribe, the LDAs answered in a threatening tone that if youdid not spare some money your file would not be processed, said the businessman.
Disappointed, the victim had to accede to their demand, but to no avail.
“Igave themmoney to getmy registration paper after a week, but am yet to receive that,” he said.
The victim told the Dhaka Tribune that hewent here twice and wasfed up with the corruption endemic in the office.
Even after giving bribe to the office staff, good services could not be expected, he added.
“We are helpless. We do not belong to any political party, and so,hardly get any privilege. We have to give the corrupt officials bribe to get the VAT registration paper,” the man said with utter frustration. Another victim Shakib (not real name) said LDAs did not want to talk without bribe.
Most people fear that if they made any complaint against the corruption they won’t get their VAT registration paper and so, they remained silent about the matter.
The VAT payers demanded the registration be made digitised as soon as possible like TIN registration, a system that would stop the widespread corruption like the forced realisation of money from the citizens.
Asked about it, an LDA Mohammad AbdurRakib refused the allegation.
He said: “We usually deliver papers within 24 hours, but if the authorities find any problem with the documents submitted by the VAT payers it takes two working days.”
Moreover, Divisional Officer ShamimaZesmin said: “I took the office only one and a half months ago. I strictly told everyone that no graft will be tolerated here.” She added that she would resort to strict actions if the allegations were proved.
Anyone charged with taking bribe would be suspended, added the officer.
Humayun Kabir, assistant regulatory officer, also denied the allegations against them.
He told the Dhaka Tribune “No bribery is used here.”