Dhaka: Extending its support to the private university students’ current movement for withdrawn of VAT ‘on them’,

BNP on Thursday urged the government to immediately meet the students’ demand.

“The statement of the NBR that the VAT will be realised from the university authorities is nothing but a ploy. They’re giving confusing statements to ease the students’ movement. When the institutions will pay VAT, they will increase various fees of the students to collect it,” said BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon.

He further said, “We would like to clearly say that neither the universities nor the students will pay VAT. No VAT can be imposed on the universities as those are not business institutions.”

Ripon came up with the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

Amid private university students’ widespread protests against the imposition of VAT on their tuition fees, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Thursday said it is the private university authorities, not the students, will pay the VAT.

Earlier on July 4, the NBR issued a notification imposing 7.5 percent VAT (Valued added tax) on the tuition fees of the private universities and medical colleges.

About the new pay scale for government officials and employees, Ripon said their party supports raising the salaries of the public servants so that they can lead a comfortable life.

He, however, said the new pay scale will push up the prices of essentials, transport fares and house rents.

The BNP spokesman also extended their party’s support to the teachers’ ongoing movement for a separate pay scale, and urged the government to accept it.