DHAKA: For the first time, seven city corporations of the country are going to introduce Digital Automation System to increase the collection of taxes and give services to the receivers quickly.

Sources said that the implementation of the system would reduce the tax fraudulence. Even people will be able to check their amount of tax and pay holding taxes from home and whether new taxes have been introduced.

Different rates of taxes will also be fixed in the database system. Only the work of website and software development is pending to start the process.

Project related officials are hopeful that the project would be started within the next six months.

With the help of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Urban Public and Environment Health Sector Development Project (UPEHSDP) of city corporations are implementing the Digital Automation System under the ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

The cost for all seven city corporations will be around Tk 25-30 crores.

In the outset, Dhaka (North and South), Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal City Corporations will come under the system. Other city corporations will be included by turn.

Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation M Nazmul Islam told banglanews, “We have taken this initiative to stop fraudulence and increase the income. I hope this will make the tax payment procedure easier.”

He also said: “There will not be any chance to evade tax. It also will help to decrease the amount of due tax.”

Chief city planner of Dhaka South City Corporation M Nazrul Islam, also the planner of Automation System, told banglanews, “This is a big task and will take some time for full implementation.”

On the other hand, director of UPEHSDP M Shahin told banglanews, “City Corporations have finished their primary task. Now we are waiting for ADB’s nod as they will finance the project. By this week we will sit with ADB members to decide on how the tender will be called.”

He also said the project may be completed by six months.

BDST: 1358 HRS, AUG 27, 2013
SR/RS/GCP- eic@banglanews24.com