Steps have already been taken to remove businessmen's fear about what they call harassment by the tax officials, said Badiur Rahman, chairman of the National Board of Revenue.

He said they would put their efforts in easing the tax collection system besides checking tax evasion.

Badiur was exchanging views at a pre-budget meeting with the leaders of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at its auditorium here.

CCCI President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in his address put up a 21-point proposal which includes, among other things, keeping the prices of essentials steady, infusing dynamism into business activities through removing businessmen's fear of harassment by tax officials and taking measures to develop the farm sector.

The NBR chief assured the CCCI leaders that reduction in duties on essentials and incentives for the farmers and agro-industries to alleviate poverty are the priorities in the next budget.

Badiur Rahman said as a part of the efforts to keep the prices of essential commodities steady, the government has already exempted some commodities like rice and pulse from duty, while it is preparing to propose for reducing duty on some other commodities like powdered milk and baby food in the next budget.

The next budget would also have some strategies for poverty alleviation, he added.

He said measures would be taken to ensure that the incentive provided in the agricultural sector reaches out to the bonafide farmers, instead of the middlemen.

CCCI Senior Vice President MA Latif, directors Md. Amirul Haq, Mahfuzul Haq Shah and Nasir Uddin Chowdhury spoke at the meeting, also attended by NBR Member (VAT) Mohammad Alam and other senior officials and a huge number of businessmen.