Dhaka: The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of ‘The National Tax Card Policy, 2010 (Amendment)’ increasing the number of national tax cards to 125 from existing 20.

‘The new policy has proposed raising the number of national tax cards to 125 from existing 20 to be provided to the highest individual and company taxpayers to establish a 'revenue-friendly culture' at all levels of state,’ Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters after the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Cabinet secretary said under the existing policy, a total of 20 highest taxpayers -- 10 in individual category and 10 in company category -- are awarded the national tax cards every year.

But, in the new policy, he said, a proposal has been made to enhance the number to 125 and the Cabinet endorsed it today.

Shafiul said of the total cards, the highest taxpayers at individual level will get 64 while the number at company level will be 50 and others are 11.

In the individual category, he said, five senior citizens, five war-wounded freedom fighters, two disabled persons, five women and three young taxpayers will get national tax cards in special class.

The Cabinet secretary said in the source of income, five businessmen, five salary recipients, five physicians, three journalists, three lawyers, three engineers, two architects, two accountants, seven new taxpayers, two players, two actors and actresses, two artistes and singers and three others will be awarded the national tax cards.

Under the company category, he said, four banks, four non-banks, one telecom company, three engineering firms, three food and relevant companies, three energy companies, three jute companies, five spinning companies, four pharmaceutical firms, four print and electronic houses, three real estate companies, seven RMG industries, two leather industries and four others will receive the national tax cards.

In other category, four firms, one local authority and two individual bodies will be awarded the national tax cards, Shafiul said.

He said the Cabinet, however, has given the authority to the finance minister to raise the number of national tax cards, if necessary, after consultation with the NBR in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet adopted a felicitation motion congratulating the National Cricket Team for their emphatic 108-run victory over England to level the two-match series 1-1.

Ministers and state ministers attended the meeting while secretaries concerned were present.