City dwellers will be able to pay holding tax online from March: Atiqul

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is going to launch a digital system, in March, for paying holding tax online – in a bid to reduce the suffering of its dwellers.

"Taxpayers will be able to pay holding tax online from March in the same way people pay their electricity bills," Dhaka North Mayor Atiqul Islam said during an inspection of Rupnagar Canal on Wednesday.

He also said Dhaka North dwellers will no longer need to come to the DNCC office to pay the holding tax.

"Hopefully, we will be able to complete the process by March," the DNCC mayor added.

Previously, in December 2018, Dhaka North signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with five banks on collecting holding tax and trade license fees online.

Earlier, in November 2017, Dhaka South introduced this digital system of paying trade license fees and holding tax online.

Beautifying Rupnagar Canal

On Wednesday, the mayor also inaugurated forestation work by planting a sapling on the banks of the canal.

He said, "Rupnagar Canal will be made suitable for use to go to the River Turag by boat. All illegal structures that were built occupying the canal will also be demolished."

Rupnagar Canal is about two kilometres long. According to the map, the width of the canal is 60 feet but its width now ranges between 12 and 20 feet. The water in the canal spreads such a bad odour that it is difficult to breathe in the area.

The DNCC mayor said, "Some slums that were built along the canal have been demolished, but the waste from the sewers of houses [still] flows into the canal. Everyone should be aware of this."

"A walkway will be constructed along the banks of this canal. People will come to the banks of the canal to breathe fresh air.  At the same time, a bicycle lane will be made on the banks of the canal. Work on aforestation will go on at the same time," he added.

After inspecting the canal, the mayor distributed masks among the cleaning staff of the DNCC.