United News of Bangladesh

Parliament on Sunday passed a bill abolishing the long-standing provision that allowed Members of Parliament to import vehicles duty-free during their term, in a bid to align it with the electoral manifesto and remove disparity. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman moved the bill, which was passed by a voice vote. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, was chairing the House. Placing the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the minister said the existing provision was inconsistent with the commitment of Members of Parliament to serve the people and created a visible disparity between lawmakers and people who are required to pay taxes. “In the current economic realities, continuation of such privileges is not appropriate. The amendment seeks to ensure austerity in public expenditure, enhance transparency and accountability, and establish fairness between elected representatives and citizens,” he told the House. He said the initiative reflects the vision and policy direction of Leader of the House Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to align parliamentary privileges with broader principles of equity and fiscal responsibility. Fuel rationing not applicable to police, emergency services: PM According to the statement of the reasons attached to the bill, although MPs are elected with a pledge to serve people, the provision allowing duty-free import of vehicles in their own names contradicts that commitment. It also creates an imbalance between people, the rightful owners of the state and their representatives. Under the proposed law, Article 3C of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973 has been omitted. The law will come into force immediately. Article 3C of the existing Order states, “A Member shall be entitled to import free of customs duty, 13[value added tax], development surcharge and import permit fee during the whole of his term of office, one 14[car, jeep or microbus] of such specification, and on such conditions, as the Government may specify in this behalf.” In this Article, “Member” shall include the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader of the House, the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Whip, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Ministers of State, the Whips and Deputy Ministers who are Members of Parliament. The article also states a member shall be entitled to import another new car, jeep or microbus after expiration of a period of five years from the date of his last import at the same terms and conditions.