A human chain was held in Rajshahi on Saturday demanding the withdrawal of all taxes on solar power equipment to encourage the expansion of renewable energy in the country.
The program was organized jointly by Clean DWGED and Poriborton at the Rajshahi Court Shaheed Minar premises.
Speaking at the event, Forum on Ecology and Development (FED) member Liaquat Ali, Poriborton Director Rashed Ripon, Campaign Associate Rony Roy, Jahurul Islam and Shahinur Alam urged the government to announce a complete tax waiver on all solar energy-related equipment in the upcoming national budget.
The speakers said Pakistan had removed taxes on solar equipment during its energy crisis and distributed solar systems free of cost among poor communities. They also noted that low-interest loans were provided to encourage solar installations in both urban and rural areas.
Referring to those initiatives, the speakers said Bangladesh could also meet a significant share of its future electricity demand through solar power if supportive policies and incentives are introduced.
