United News of Bangladesh

The NBR Reform Unity Council on Sunday withdrew its previously announced full-fledged strike and welcomed the government’s announcement that all necessary amendments to Revenue Policy and Administration Reform Ordinance, 2025, will be made by July 31.The announcement came after the clarification of the Finance Ministry which clearly started that the NBR will not be dissolved but strengthened as an independent and specialized department under the Ministry of Finance.“A specialized institution will be formed for revenue policy formulation, and the existing ordinance will not be implemented until the necessary amendments are made,” the Council said in a statement issued on Sunday night. NBR to be upgraded as independent and specialised body: Finance Ministry “We welcome the government’s commitment to sustainable revenue reform through discussions with the NBR, the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee, and key stakeholders. We believe this marks the beginning of Bangladesh’s journey toward establishing an internationally benchmarked, independent, and empowered revenue agency,” the statement reads.The Council said this declaration from the government proves the legitimacy of their long-standing demands and programmes.However, it noted that their second demand—immediate removal of the current NBR Chairman—remains unmet.“We hope the government will soon make a positive decision in favor of this demand. Meanwhile, the previously announced non-cooperation movement with the current NBR Chairman will continue as declared,” said the statement of the Council.“With everyone’s support, we are confident that a sustainable and people-oriented revenue system will be built in this country,” it added.The Council also recalled its earlier commitment to the nation, “We had promised that if our demands were fulfilled, we would work beyond office hours to clear any backlogs.”“In line with that commitment, we now announce that additional work beyond regular office hours will begin as needed,” the statement said.

Train communications on Wednesday resumed in parts of the country after Bangladesh Railways’ running staff called off their strike. The decision to withdraw the strike that halted trains for 26 hours came from a meeting held between Railways Adviser Fouzul Kabir, leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, and the leaders of running staff late Tuesday. The decision was announced at 2:45 am Wednesday. Md Mojibur Rahman, general secretary to Bangladesh Railway Running Staff and Workers' Union, said, "The adviser has promised to resolve our issue quickly through the finance ministry by tomorrow (Wednesday). We don't want public suffering. I'm sorry. I have now withdrawn the work stoppage. I will tell the running staff brothers to go back to work.” Followoing the announcement, two trains left Rajshahi rail station in the early morning. Read: Train communications halt nationwide after talks on extra benefits fail Of them, the Khulna and Dhaka-bound Sagardari and Madhumati trains left the station at 6:05am and 6:50am respectively. Moreover, the Banalata Express train left Chapainawabganj rail station for Rajshahi in the morning, reports our district correspondent. Passengers travelling by the trains said most seats remained vacant due to the late night announcement of the withdrawal. Read more: BR Strike: Passengers continue to suffer as solution remains elusive The running staff started an indefinite work abstention from Monday midnight across the country to demand special post-retirement allowances and other benefits.