Chattogram freight transport leaders seek advance income tax withdrawal

Leaders of freight transport owners’ and workers’ organisations in Chattogram have demanded the immediate withdrawal of advance income tax (AIT) imposed on motor vehicle owners, saying it has raised operating costs and placed an additional financial burden on the sector.

The demand was made at an introductory meeting of the Chattogram Freight Transport Owners and Workers Coordination Council at a restaurant in Agrabad yesterday (22 July).

Representatives of transport owners’ associations, workers’ unions and other stakeholders in the freight transport sector attended the meeting.

Following the introduction of the council’s newly formed committee, its leaders placed an eight-point demand and submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser through journalists.

Their demands included withdrawing the AIT, amending the Road Transport Act, 2018, and resolving operational problems related to container handling at Chattogram Port and private inland container depots, commonly known as off-docks.

The leaders said the existing tax and regulatory regime had increased the cost of doing business. They urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the uninterrupted movement of goods and improve the operating environment for freight transport operators.

Council Convener Mohammad Arifur Rahman Rubel, Joint Conveners Md Selim Khan, Md Abul Khayer, Md Shafi, Md Humayun Kabir, Md Hasan Mahmud and Md Yasin, Member Secretary Mohammad Alauddin Faruk, and Joint Member Secretary Md Shamsuzzaman Sumon addressed the meeting.