The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is going to include people from Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and haor areas, for the first time, to ensure a participatory budget for the fiscal year 2016-17.
The board will have special focus on the opinions and suggestions from the people of the country’s backward areas, so their suggestions will be reflected in the budget formulation.
In addition, the board will also have pre-budget discussion with the stakeholders from different districts through video conferencing, said a NBR statement released yesterday.
The revenue authorities are also putting emphasis on the use of digital tools and modernisation of NBR to ensure maximum participation from the stakeholders.
The NBR made the decision at a budget formulation meeting for fiscal year 2016-17 held at its headquarters with NBR Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman in the chair.
Besides, opinions from country’s renowned economists, popular public figures and business stakeholders will be sought for consideration.
The pre-budget talks, which are usually attended by representatives from all the leading chambers, business organisations, and associations, are a regular phenomenon every year and intended to make an inclusive budget.
The NBR has already sought opinions and proposals from the stakeholders as part of its preparatory work to make the budget participatory, business-friendly, revenue maximising, and pro-people.
With an annual budget, the government brings amendments to the existing laws and rules related to customs, VAT and income tax to maximise revenue earnings, provides protection to local industries, facilitate international trade and solve procedural complexities in revenue collection.
