Dhaka: Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Saturday suggested the private university students to stay alert so that private university authorities cannot increase tuition fees or charge any extra money for paying their Value Added Tax (VAT).

He said this at the award distribution ceremony of a debate competition, ‘Bitarka Bikash’, organised by Debate for Democracy in collaboration with Brac and ATN Bangla at Bangla Academy.

The minister said the private university owners have agreed to pay the 7.5 percent VAT but if the students do not remain alert they will charge extra fees in many ways from the next year.

‘The fee that the private universities realise from students is very high. According to my calculation, a private university student spends Tk 1,000 per day by paying various fees and buying books and food. How much did I want from it? Only Tk 75,’ Muhith said.

The Finance Minister said, ‘I’ve told the university authorities that they’ll have to pay 7.5 percent VAT form the collected tuition fees; now the universities have agreed to do that

‘I’m telling the students, if you don’t remain alert, they’ll realise extra money in the name of development fund and in other ways. Prepare for the next year so that the fees can’t be raised,’ he added.

Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan, ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Kiron and Brac Executive Director Dr Abu Musa were also present at the programme.