The leasers of cattle markets were taking advantage of inadequate monitoring, and forcing buyers to pay extra tax (hasil) at 20 cattle markets of the capital, buyers and cattle traders have alleged.
According to government rates, the leaser can charge five percent of the total cost of the animal as tax, which is later added in the revenue fund of the government. However, the leasers were allegedly collecting six to seven percent tax from the buyers, and were harassing those who were protesting the practice.
Jahirul Islam, a resident of Old Dhaka, said he bought a cow from the Armanitola cattle market for Tk75,000 (cow sell receipt no 117) and had to pay Tk4,000 to the leaser. According to the government rate, Jahirul’s tax should have been Tk3,750. Similar allegations were raised by holders of the receipts 213, 345, and 401 of the market.
Speaking about the claims, Mohammad Kausar, a counterman at the market, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We have to spend huge sums of money to get lease of the market and if we would not get some extra money, then how would we manage the expense?”
Sources said similar practice of charging extra was being carried out by the leasers of different cattle markets of Dhupkhola, Hazaribagh, Taltola, Agargaon and Uttara areas.
The buyers claimed that such irregularities were happening as law enforcers did not pay attention about the legal and procedural issues of the cattle markets.
However, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hassan Mahmood Khandker said cattle were being sold across the country in a legal and peaceful way. Law enforcers have been deployed at every cattle market of the country, while Rapid Action Battalion members also kept the markets under watch, he said.
The IGP also denied allegations that extortion was taking place on the highways ahead of Eid, and said any law enforcer found guilty of wrongdoings will face stern action. The IGP made the comments on Sunday while inspecting security arrangements at the Gabtoli cattle market. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Benazir Ahmed was also present there at the time.
