Robi deposits Tk 10cr VAT to keep bank accounts open

FT ONLINE

Mobile operator Robi on Sunday deposited Tk 10 crore, out of Tk 18.73 crore, to the government exchequer as per its undertakings given to the large taxpayers unit (Value-Added Tax) of the National Board of Revenue to make its bank accounts operational.

LTU (VAT) on Thursday unfroze the bank accounts of Robi after the operator had promised to pay soon the ‘evaded’ VAT and supplementary duties worth Tk 18.73 crore.

Earlier on February 26, the LTU froze the bank accounts of the telecom operator for three working days to realise the amount.

The High Court on the following day stayed the decision of the tax authority after Robi had filed a writ petition against the LTU decision.

The Appellate Division on Thursday stayed the High Court order for three days following a petition of the LTU. Soon after the verdict, the LTU unfroze the bank accounts of the operator as it gave the undertakings.

LTU officials said that Robi would pay rest of the amount soon.

They said that the Appellate Division had also disposed the petition of the LTU as the VAT office urged the court to do so in line with the latest developments.

The hearing of writ petition filed by Robi at High Court challenging the provision of the VAT Act-1991 under which the LTU froze its accounts would continue, they added.

--RNA