Mobile costs are rising from today: Operators are responsible, but consumers are burdened

The Dhaka Times Desk From today the cost of mobile users is increasing at the rate of 1 paisa. The cost of mobile is increasing from today this tax called 'Development Surcharge' will be imposed, which will be effective from today Monday.

The operators will actually have to pay a surcharge of 1 percent on the value received in exchange for the service along with the prescribed tax. While on paper it is said to collect surcharge from operators, in reality the opposite is happening. Mobile phone customers will have to bear the burden of this additional tax! As a result, even if the call rate does not increase, the cost of the conversation will increase from Monday, September 1, for mobile users. The National Board of Revenue has set a target of additional collection of around 250 crore rupees per year due to this surcharge.

Why the users have to pay the tax imposed on the mobile operators is a matter to be seen. When asked about this in the customer care of Grameen Phone, they avoided the issue and said that they have higher authority to contact them.

It has been informed that mobile operators will be charged a 'Development Surcharge' at the rate of 1 percent on the total value received in exchange for services through the use of SIM cards or RIM cards or any other microchip. Surcharge will be levied in the same manner as Value Added Tax is levied.

In the last budget, a tax of Tk 100 has been levied on SIM card replacement. A target of 80 crore rupees has been fixed from this replacement sector. On the other hand, Information and Communication Technology Development Surcharge is levied at the rate of 1 percent on the value base of mobile sets imported and locally produced. 38 crore rupees will be collected from here too. Again, a surcharge of 1 percent on the use of mobile services is added to it.

New taxation on this huge potential sector will have a negative impact on investment and growth. But this mobile sector is contributing the most to the government's treasury. Therefore, those concerned with it think that the government should take this into consideration. Otherwise, as far as this mobile technology in Bangladesh has advanced in keeping with the world, it will fall behind again.

Note that currently the number of mobile phone subscribers in the country is about 11 crore. Bangladesh has progressed in this industry in a very short time.