Owners of private universities should carry the responsibility of paying the VAT on education as their institutions now generate profit, Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta has said.
Criticising the conditions of most private universities, the Awami League Advisory Council member also called for a stricter vetting process before licences were handed out to private universities.
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“With the exception of a few, the conditions of most private universities are bad. Although the owners claim the universities to be non-profit institutions, they have turned out to be profitable institutions in present time. So, the owners should pay VAT,” he told a discussion at the capital's Institution of Diploma Engineers Friday.
Speaking as the chief guest, Suranjit also said the University Grants Commission and the Education Ministry should take a strong stance while issuing licences for private universities.
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On the movement by public university teachers, Suranjit said dialogues among authorities concerned can be the key to solving the crisis while also preserving the dignity of teachers.
“The issue related to payment of basic salaries and other perks for the teachers of public universities should be resolved through talks. An acceptable understanding could be reached if the government looks after the issue with openness,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking at a separate programme in the city, Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hassan Mahmud said some intruders were instigating the students of private universities for agitation.
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“It is known to all of us that some intruders are instigating the private university students for a movement. People in disguise are provoking them to launch a movement,” he told a discussion at Segunbagicha's Khawja Nazim Uddin auditorium yesterday.
Hassan Mahmud also urged the private university students to wage movement against the irrational increase of tuition fees, not against VAT.
