The 'National Income Tax Day-2021' will be marked around the country today (Tuesday), with the goal of raising public awareness about the importance of paying income tax on a regular basis for the country's development.

Today, at 11 a.m., the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will offer a seminar in its conference room to commemorate the day. Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Haque will be the primary guest, while FBCCI President Md Jasim Uddin will be a special guest, according to BSS.

The theme of this year's tax day is 'Mujib Barsher Angikar, Sabai Mile Debo Kar (Mujib year's commitment, we all will pay tax"). President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages on the occasion, wishing success of the day.

In their messages, the President and the Prime Minister greeted all officials and employees of the NBR and tax-paying individuals marking the income tax day.

"Income tax is not only a major source of internal resource collection, but it is also a way of establishing economic and social justice in the society," President M Abdul Hamid in his message.

Bangladesh is moving forward to turn into a developed prosperous country through implementing Vision-2041 like the successful implementation of Vision 2021, he said, adding there is no alternative to mobilize domestic resources for implementing the Vision-2041.

Laying emphasis on creating awareness about payment of income tax, the President said if awareness about payment of income tax is created, it would not only help dispel fear about income tax, it would also flourish the culture of income tax payment in the society.

He said the officials of the tax division have been delivering tax services relentlessly to enrich the state treasury amid the coronavirus pandemic which is appreciable.

As part of encouraging taxpayers to pay tax, the NBR has honored a total of 666 top taxpayers, including 141 long-term taxpayers, across the country and gave them tax cards.

The President urged the taxpayers to pay their income tax on time to continue the development activities of the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the NBR has been working relentlessly for the successful implementation of the government's development programs by ensuring a business and investment-friendly environment as well as enriching the state's exchequer. NBR is working to develop a revenue-friendly culture in the country, various innovative activities of the organization have already been expanded from the national level to the rural areas, she added.

The government has issued a notice saying that there will be no age limit for intending hajj pilgrims this year.

The notice signed by Deputy Secretary of Religious Affairs Ministry Abul Kashem Muhammad Shahin was issued Monday.

It said persons below 12 years old will be able to perform hajj this year.

The Hajj will be held on June 27 this year subject to a moon sighting.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin today said Bangladesh requires US$ 373 billion to implement its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in the next 27 years, with US$ 8.5 billion per year as new and additional finance. 

"For the full implementation of the (Nationally determined contributions) NDC targets of Bangladesh, it needs US$ 143 billion from international support...we need to ensure easy and quick access to climate finance as well," he told the first Copenhagen Climate Ministerial Meeting held at Eigtveds Pakhus in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to a message received here. 

Shahab Uddin said the developed countries must keep their commitments of mobilising US$ 100 billion annually from this year to support actions to tackle climate change in the most vulnerable countries with an equal balance between adaptation and mitigation. 

The most vulnerable developing countries urgently require new, predictable, and adequate grant-based public financing for adaptation beyond voluntary donor assistance, he said.

The minister said the financial mechanism must be settled for the effective implementation of the NAP.

He urged the developed countries to double adaptation finance to support developing countries in their efforts to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change. 

In line with the position of the LDC group, he said, Bangladesh expects a more proactive role from the developed countries to ensure the ambitious contribution of climate finance towards grant-based adaptation support to the most climate-vulnerable countries.

Shahab Uddin said Parties must reach consensus on several critical issues regarding the 'Mitigation Work Programme' to reduce global green house gas (GHG) emissions by 43 percent by 2030 aiming to keep 1.5 degree Celsius within reach. 

The Mitigation Work Programme should facilitate creating enabling conditions for the effective implementation of mitigation actions in the most vulnerable developing countries through the mobilisation of adequate financial resources, technology transfer and capacity building, he said. 

Earlier, the minister joined a view-exchange meeting with the Bangladeshi community held in Bangladesh Embassy in Denmark with AKM Shahidul Karim, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Denmark, in the chair.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government is building the armed forces in such a way as it can defend the country's independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh is attacked.

"We don't want war with anyone. But, we have to attain enough efficiency to protect our independence and sovereignty if Bangladesh falls into such situation and we're preparing our forces keeping that in mind," she said.

The premier said this while commissioning the newly constructed naval submarine base "BNS Sheikh Hasina" by unveiling its nameplate, joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence here.

The inaugural function was held at Pekua in Cox's Bazar.

The prime minister said her government is maintaining the foreign policy adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, "Friendship to all, malice to none."

She asked the armed forces personnel to continue efforts to materialise Father of the Nation's dream of building developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 free from hunger and poverty alongside discharging professional duties.

"We have established the Bangladesh Navy as a smart force. We will build every organisation as modern with up-to-date and technological knowledge," she said.

The premier said they have adopted a "Blue Economy" policy and are working to use the vast marine resources in flourishing country's national economy and thus to contribute to ensuring overall development of Bangladesh.

She said the newly commissioned submarine base would help navy increase its operational capacity to secure the vast marine resources while the ships passing through the Bay of Bengal also can take help from the base.

"A proud chapter is added to the history of Bangladesh Navy with commissioning the complete and ultra-modern submarine base," she said.

The premier also witnessed the first flag hoisting ceremony in the submarine base of the navy.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal gave the address of welcome at the venue in Pekua.

A brief audio-visual documentary of the submarine base was screened at the function.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had enacted the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 to establish Bangladesh’s rights on its maritime boundaries.

But, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 as an international maritime law, she said.

After 21 years , when AL government assumed   power in 1996, Sheikh Hasina  said her government had taken some measures and signed the UN unclose to this end, adding that the Zia, Ershad and Khaleda’s governments did not take any measures.

After coming to power for the second time in 2009, the prime minister said they have been able to establish Bangladesh’s rights on the vast marine areas and its resources from neighbouring India and Myanmar with maintaining the friendly relations.

Sheikh Hasina said her government formulated "Forces Goal 2030" in line with Bangabandhu’s Defence Policy-1974 after assuming power in 2009 and is now implementing the goal aimed at transforming all the military forces as modern and time-worthy organizations.

In  last 14 years, a total of 31 warships, including four  frigates, six  corvettes, four large patrol crafts, five  patrol crafts and two  training ships were added to the fleet of Bangladesh Navy, she said.

"We added two submarines on March 12 in 2017. As a result, today our Navy was established as a three-dimensional naval force," she added.

The premier said Bangladesh is currently building ships in local shipyards for its own uses and for others.

Bangladesh Navy has completed the construction of five patrol craft including large ones in Khulna shipyard, she said.