A petition has sought to stop duty-free import of cars for MPs. Lawyer Md Yunus Ali Akhand filed the petition at the Supreme Court on Monday. It also sought a rule on why the decision to allow imports of cars without duty for MPs shall not be discontinued and current directives allowing that be cancelled. The cabinet, finance and commerce secretaries and chairman of National Board of Revenue have been asked to reply to the rule. The petition sought a stay order on the import of these foreign cars for MPs until the rule was issued and disposed of. Quoting a report published in the ‘Daily Manabzamin’ it said the MPs were first allowed duty-free import of cars on May 24, 1988. Indian MPs use 1300 cc cars whereas their Bangladeshi counterparts use luxurious cars ranging from 3000 to 5500 cc, it said. Petitioner Akhand said the MPs do not pay duty for importing cars but burden citizens with huge duties for the same. “They impose huge burden of duties on citizens for importing cars and themselves avoid it which is immoral and unlawful.” The petition said the article 68 of the Constitution lays down privileges for MPs. Since there is no mention about duty-free cars for them in this article, the subsequent government directive is in conflict with the Constitution, said Akhand’s petition. “According to article 7 of the Constriction, all powers belong to the people of the republic. As per article 19, the state has been asked to ensure equality for all citizens. “Article 27 says all citizens are equal in the eye of the law and article 31 says the state cannot do anything beyond law. “During taking oath they (the MPs) vow never to get influenced by individual interest while discharging duty. “But they are putting the burden of tax on the people and enjoying the privilege of duty free foreign cars which is unlawful and immoral. So import of duty free cars for them is unconstitutional.”—bdnews24.com
