Hope The Protests Will Not Go In Vain
George Floyd’s death has acted like a giant tsunami breaking dams and the raging water reaching every corner of the world. People have become outraged and horror stricken, they are united in protesting the injustice against the black people, chanting, “Black Lives Matter.”
They are marching in protest by thousands not caring about coronavirus, the deadly disease. To remain safe people have to keep distance but it seems they do not care. They have become so outraged by the death of George Floyd.
I think a new era will begin; racism will not exist any more. I hope George Floyd’s name will be written in golden letters for becoming the instrument of change which will bring peace in the world.
Nur Jahan
Chattogram
Duty On Mobile, Internet Services
In the age of extreme excellence of information and communication technology, the commitment to achieve economic prosperity and build a Digital Bangladesh by creating employment by utilizing the benefits of free flow of information is really commendable. But in the announced budget for the fiscal year 2020-21, the increased supplementary duty on mobile talking and internet usage can reduce the number of ordinary users and reduce revenue in the long run. At present there are about 100 million internet subscribers in Bangladesh. Mobile and internet usage has increased in almost every field including personal communication, education, business, research, medical, electricity, water, etc., bill payment, job application, examination results.
All the work is being done using mobile and internet when all the work is stalled under house arrest during the ongoing Corona crisis. As a result, the government’s revenue has also increased at a significant rate. But increased tariffs in the new budget will discourage ordinary users. It will affect the regular revenue. Overall it will delay the achievement of the set target of GDP. Therefore, it is desirable for the government to withdraw the increased 5 per cent supplementary duty on mobile and internet services to accelerate economic progress and accelerate the achievement of the goal of building a digital Bangladesh by safeguarding the interests of ordinary users.
Abu Faruk
Sadar, Bandarban.
