United News of Bangladesh

Muhammad Abdul Mazid, a member of the advisory committee to initiate reforms in the National Board of Revenue (NBR), on Thursday said they will propose implementable proposals for the revenue collecting authority. “We will give an implementable proposal, the government would go that way,” he said while holding a view exchange meeting with the Economic Reporters’ Forum at the NBR. But he said that this suggestion must not be implemented overnight. VAT on hotels, restaurants to be revised to previous level: NBR  “We have to step into a path, we have to initiate the process, this is not like that we will not be able to do,” he said. Mazid, former chairman of NBR, currently is chairman of the Social Development Foundation. He said it won’t be wise to expect a hundred percent achievement right now. “That’s why we are not going to give specific time frame,” he said. He also mentioned that there is nothing to be revolutionary. “This can’t be done, our society also does not support that system,” he said. The former NBR chairman said that the committee wanted to build up a better understanding among all stakeholders. He said that the committee already gave an interim report. “Now it is in the court of the government,” he said. Ailing VAT collection: NBR wants answers from field level offices But he put emphasis on the implementation of the proposals during the tenure of the interim government. The committee members and former NBR chairman Nasiruddin Ahmed and former NBR member Farid Uddin were present at the meeting while ERF president Doulot Akter Mala led the ERF team. The government on October 9 last year formed the committee to provide recommendations on tax policy reforms, improvements in tax administration, automation and other related matters. The other two members are: Delwar Hossain and Aminur Rahman.

The newly formed five-member Advisory Committee, tasked with recommending reforms for the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has begun reaching out to stakeholders for input on pro-people changes. The committee is sending letters to private sector associations, including the FBCCI, MCCI, ICCB and ERF, seeking proposals to guide its reform efforts. “We are actively reaching out to stakeholders for their suggestions,” committee member and former NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid told UNB. The committee, which meets regularly, is committed to preparing well-researched recommendations, he added.  NBR working with other agencies to bring lost revenue back into national coffers, says chairman Formed by the interim government through a gazette notification, the committee comprises former NBR chairmen Muhammad Abdul Mazid and Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed, along with three former NBR members — M Delowar Hossain, Farid Uddin and Aminur Rahman. The committee will advise on a range of areas, including fiscal policy reforms, revenue administration, institutional modernisation and citizen engagement. According to the gazette, the committee is expected to provide recommendations on enhancing NBR’s institutional capacity, improving governance, and broadening citizen engagement in tax policy. The NBR Board Administration member has been assigned to support the committee’s secretarial needs. In a show of commitment, the committee members have unanimously agreed to work without remuneration. “We are dedicated to making a positive impact for the country and society, so we’ve chosen to forgo payment,” Mazid said. Despite the committee's proactive stance, certain procedural concerns remain, particularly regarding the consistency of implementation. Sources familiar with the process indicated that the gazette does not specify a timeframe for completing the committee’s work, nor does it clarify whom the committee should report to. Besides, there is no indication regarding committee leadership, creating ambiguity around who should direct the secretarial duties and call meetings. Ex-NBR chairman Nojibur, ex-secretary Aminul denied bail, sent to jail Business leaders have also voiced concerns, questioning the potential for genuine reform when the committee comprises only former NBR officials, some of whom they believe did not implement substantial changes during their tenures. The interim government, which took office on August 8 following the August 5 student-led movement that ousted the Sheikh Hasina administration, has introduced several reform initiatives across various sectors, including the formation of this NBR advisory committee. In recent discussions with the NBR, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed emphasised ethical tax collection, urging officials to avoid pressuring taxpayers and to focus instead on expanding the tax base. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding tax revenue for the national exchequer without any losses through inefficiencies or mismanagement.