Staff Reporter:
The Jatiya Sangsad (JS) yesterday passed the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, abolishing the provision that allowed lawmakers to import cars duty-free, in a move aimed at promoting fiscal discipline and equality.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman moved the bill, which was passed by voice vote.
Placing the bill, the minister said the existing provision was inconsistent with the commitment of Mem-bers of Parliament to serve the people and created a visible disparity between lawmakers and citizens, 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 the Leader of the House to align parlia-mentary privileges with broader principles of equity and fiscal responsibility.
According to the statement of objects and reasons attached to the bill, although MPs are elected with a pledge to serve the people, the provision allowing duty-free import of vehicles in their own names con-tradicts that commitment. It also creates an imbalance between the people, the rightful owners of the state and their representatives.
The statement further said, in light of the prevailing economic situation, it has become necessary to re-consider such facilities to reduce government expenditure and strengthen accountability in public life.
It also emphasizes that the amendment has been brought to ensure greater transparency and uphold the principle of equality.
Earlier, the House took the bill into immediate consideration and passed it clause by clause without any amendments.
Under the proposed law, Article 3C of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Or-der, 1973 (P.O. No. 28 of 1973) has been omitted, effectively removing the duty-free car import facility for MPs. The law will come into force immediately.
Article 3C of the 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 expi-ration of a period of five years from the date of his last import at the same terms and conditions.
