Mobile phone traders vandalise BTRC office

A group of mobile phone traders allegedly vandalised the BTRC office in Agargaon, Dhaka on Thursday, protesting the launch of National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.

The protesters gathered in front of the BTRC building, and afterwards, threw brickbats at the office around 4:25pm, said Tejgaon Division Police Deputy Commissioner Ibn Mizan. Around 5pm, the army brought the situation under control, after detaining some agitators.

Earlier, a meeting between mobile phone traders and the BTRC chairman led to an altercation, which motivated the traders stationed outside the office building to launch an attack.

The protesters alleged that the government has walked back on a pledge to allow a three-month grace period. BTRC officials claimed some of the traders’ concerns, including high tax rate, have already been addressed, and others are being worked on irrespective of a grace period.

BTRC Deputy Director (Media) Jakir Hossain Khan said the vandalism despite efforts to address concerns is “unwelcome,” and has warned of legal action.

NEIR launch

On Thursday, BTRC launched the NEIR system which makes it mandatory to register handsets with the government’s database. The move is aimed at curbing cybercrimes by blocking all unregistered and unauthorised phones.

A section of retail traders say the move would harm their income, and are calling for a three-month deferral, they say the government previously agreed to provide.

In the meantime, they demanded the government reduce import taxes on authorised handsets, reduce hassles in import procedures and simplify vendor registration processes. The traders can also register their unsold unauthorised phones in this period, they said.

Shamim Mollah, vice-president of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh, alleged that the government has “deceived” the traders by avoiding the grace period.

He has rejected the reduction of cumulative tax burden on imported authorised phones to 43.43% from 61.8%. The tax burden should be cut to between 5% and 20%, in line with international practices, he told reporters.

On 16 December, the government was set to launch the NEIR system. However, amid protests by the traders the launch date was pushed back to 1 January, allowing the businessmen more time to register their existing unsold unauthorised handsets.

On Thursday, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the import tax for authorised handsets have also been reduced to 10% from 25%. The tax on locally manufactured mobile phones has also been reduced from 10% to 5%, he added at a press briefing.