The government earned Tk 1.97 crore in revenue through toll from the vehicles that crossed the Padma Bridge in 24 hours till 6 am on Monday. “Tk 1.97 crore was collected in 24 hours till 6 am on Monday,” Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA) Superintending Engineer Abul Hossain told UNB.  READ: Padma Bridge: Over Tk 2 cr toll collected from vehicles on 1st day Around 15,274 vehicles crossed the bridge during this period, he said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the bridge on Saturday and it was opened to traffic on Sunday morning.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked its field offices to expedite the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection as the collection from the pocket is only 56.15 per cent in the first eight months of the current fiscal. In this connection, the revenue collecting authority asked for attaining the target of the revenue collection keeping the present condition in mind and to put emphasis on establishing intensive communication with the big companies. The NBR data shows that total revenue collection from VAT wing  fixed in the budget for 2021-22 fiscal was Tk 127747.58 crore whereas the collection till February 2022 is Tk 71,736.88 crore, which is only 56.15 per cent. The target for VAT collection from import level was Tk 45,554.76 crore. But till February of this year the NBR has been able to collect Tk 28,403.60 crore where in the month of February the collection was 4061.67 crore. The collection till February 2021 was Tk 22,709.32 crore while the collection in the month of February 2021 was Tk 3050.02 crore. It means the growth in month to month basis is 33.17 per cent while it is 25.07 per cent considering the collection of the first eight months of the two fiscals. On the other hand, target for VAT collection from local level was Tk 82192.82 crore. But till February of this year the NBR has been able to collect Tk 43333.28 crore where in the month of February the collection was Tk 5615.67 crore. The collection till February 2021 was Tk 38,734.97 crore while the collection in the month of February 2021 was Tk 5312.55 crore. It shows that the growth in month to month basis is 5.71 per cent only while growth is 11.87 per cent considering the collection of the first eight months of the two fiscals. A senior official of the NBR said that in the present situation of the world or the country during the pandemic is not very conducive for revenue collection with sizeable growth. READ: NBR announces tax exemption for donation to third gender “We are all aware about the present situation, this might improves as the world and the country as well are coming out from the shadow of the pandemic situation gradually. Whatever it is, we have to step forward with necessary actions to attain the target,’ he said. He mentioned that good communications with large companies that usually give significant amount of VAT would be a better tool for enhanced revenue collections. He said that officials would have to depend on the items like cigarettes, mobile, bank, Bkash, internet and medicine, which pay higher revenue to the national exchequer. Besides, the NBR official said that special attention needs to be given on collecting advance VAT and outstanding revenues from various business entities. The revenue target for the NBR for fiscal 2021-22 has been set at Tk 330,078 crore. Of the total target the VAT wing will contribute the lion share with Tk 127,745 crore. The target for Income Tax and Tax on Profit has been set Tk 104, 952 crore. The revenue collection from import duty will be Tk 37, 807.18 crore, Tk 55,225.26 crore from from Supplementary Duty, Tk 55.45 crore from export duty, Tk 3685.69 crore from Excise Duty, Tk 1529.90 crore from travel tac while Tk 1050 crore from other taxes and duties.

icddr,b Diagnostic Laboratories Thursday launched its sample collection centre in the city’s Uttara area. icddr,b’s executive director Dr Tahmeed Ahmed and acting senior director of the Laboratory Sciences and Services Division Dr Dinesh Mondal inaugurated the sample collection centre on the third floor of SH Properties, House 35, in Sector 14. The Uttara sample collection centre will operate from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm daily. READ: icddr,b team pays homage to Bangabandhu However, individuals willing to undergo test for Covid-19 will have to visit its Mohakhali Centre. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tahmeed underscored the importance of quality and accessibility of laboratory tests for effective disease detection and treatment. “icddr,b is committed to help strengthen the healthcare services of Bangladesh with its internationally accepted laboratory tests, which is the cornerstone of effective disease control and prevention efforts," he said. On his part, Dr Dinesh said, “This sample collection centre will benefit not only the residents of Uttara but also those living in the nearby areas, including Tongi and Gazipur, in receiving icddr,b’s reliable laboratory testing service and help in disease detection.” READ: 27% 'Suchana' beneficiaries reach food security: icddr,b The funds generated from icddr,b’s diagnostic service supports the free of cost treatment of more than 200,000 patients annually at icddr,b’s two hospitals, located in Dhaka and Matlab upazila in Chandpur, respectively. icddr,b Diagnostic Laboratories is the first ISO15189 (Quality) and ISO15190 (Safety) accredited laboratory in Bangladesh.