Finance Minister proposed to impose more import duty of private car in the national budget FY2009-10. But some organizations and individuals are shouting against this proposal. They have urged review of the proposed new duty structure in the budget, terming it `in excess’ and saying it threatened to close down businesses.

But the question is who the users of private car are? How many people of Bangladesh have ability to pay money for a car? But Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) said most of the cars on which there are proposals to increase duty are used by the middle class.

What is the meaning of `middle class’? Bangladeshi middle class have no capacity to pay 0.5 or 1 million Taka to buy a car. If he has any illegal income is another question. There are no differences into 1 and to million if the money is illegal. It is clear that there is a relation between ownership of private car and corruption. So duty is not a problem for them who can think to buy a car. New budget proposes to raise 23.55 percent duty on cars of 1000 cc and under.

Finance minister AMA Muhith, in his budget speech, said the new duty structure has been proposed to increase revenue collection and to discourage import of luxury cars. It is very urgent for Bangladesh not only in terms of economy but also the view of urban planning and balance of the society.

Bangladesh have no rules and regulations regarding entrance of private car. If you have enough money to purchase a car you can get it easy and cheaply just taking a license.  As a result More than 10 thousand new cars entering in Dhaka City Street every year.

Government is providing 3000 crore taka as subsidy for petrol/fuel supply, which could be spend for industrial purpose and public transport. But the private car owners are taking advantage of it. It is needed to stopping subsidized fuel and gas to private car owners. There should have at least one 100 thousand taka environment tax on a private car and gradually making Dhaka city free of private car.

Is the raised duty in new budget enough? More then 90 percent of Bangladeshi famil  have no capacity of dream to buy a car. They need to introducing more public transports like rail service, double Decker bus etc. Government should establish quality cycle industry in Bangladesh and discourage importing bi-cycle

So the proposal duty of car in new budget is very good step. But finance minister not proposed to raise any duty of luxury Cars over three to four thousand cc. The government can impose heavy duty on those.