United News of Bangladesh

The general protests by officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) had eventually turned into an anti-government movement aimed at disrupting the country’s economy, claimed Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Sunday. Fouzul, who leads the ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Road Transport and Bridges; and Railways, made the remarks at a press conference at the Secretariat. He also heads the Advisory Council Committee formed to speed up business, industry, ports and revenue collection. Committee members Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan were also present at the press conference. Regarding the NBR officials’ protest demanding repeal of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, Fouzul said, “It was initially a harmless movement, but later turned into an anti-government one. The aim shifted towards causing economic damage and disrupting revenue collection.” NBR first secretary Tanzina suspended Quoting a newspaper report, he cited evidence from a WhatsApp group suggesting a political motive behind the protest. “Despite provocation, the government showed immense patience,” he said, adding that business leaders questioned why the protest was allowed to continue for so long. “We tried to resolve the issue without repression, but it didn’t work," the Adviser said. The Advisory Committee has held five meetings so far with stakeholders, including VAT and income tax associations, NBR officials, the Reform Commission and business leaders. “We’ll monitor field-level activities of income tax, customs and VAT operations,” he said. Fouzul also said that businesses suffered badly during the two-month-long protest and frequently faced harassment by tax officials. However, they fully support the government’s reform agenda. He also mentioned that the Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating some NBR officials and disciplinary actions have already been taken. The advisory committee will provide recommendations for formulating policies on how to appoint secretaries in two departments (Revenue Policy and Revenue Implementation) to resolve the issues arising with NBR. Govt has no hand in ACC probe of six NBR officials: Finance Adviser The five-member Advisory Council was formed on June 30 through a Cabinet Division notification. Its other members are Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain (adviser to the Shipping and Labour Ministries) and Sk. Bashiruddin (adviser to the Commerce, Textiles and Civil Aviation Ministries).

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan on Monday said recent protest programmes by the staff under the banner of NBR Reform Unity Council have hampered revenue collection efforts. Speaking to reporters at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, he urged all staff members to move past the events of the past few days and focus on working in the interest of the state and the country. “Whatever has happened, we need to forget and move forward, working together for the greater interest of the nation,” the NBR chairman said. The remarks came a day after the Reform Unity Council of NBR, which had been demonstrating for several days demanding logical reforms and the resignation of the NBR chairman, called off its protest following stern government warning. From Monday morning, NBR officials and staff returned to their duties. NBR enabling companies to file VAT returns from their own systems Describing the return of activity within NBR offices,  Khan mentioned that customs houses resumed operations by Sunday afternoon, with all departments beginning work again Monday morning. “There is now a sense of relief among stakeholders, particularly within the business community and policymakers,” he said. As of 10 a.m. Monday, the NBR had collected Tk 3,60,922 crore in revenue, he informed. “We expect to receive a substantial amount today. Once government bills are reconciled, the collection is likely to surpass last year’s figure. Even if it doesn’t meet our original expectations, it will likely come close,” he added. The NBR chairman expressed optimism that the momentum in revenue collection would be restored quickly and thanked all officials for returning to their duties.

Officials and employees started a sit-in and pen-down programme at the NBR headquarters in Dhaka on Monday morning, demanding logical reforms in the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The NBR officials started the three-hour protest wearing burial clothes at 9am. The NBR Reform Unity Council, a platform comprising NBR officials, on Saturday announced the programme at a press conference at its headquarters. Council’s President and Additional Commissioner Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar and General Secretary and Additional Tax Commissioner Sehela Siddiqua reiterated their demand for rational reforms within the revenue board. The council claimed that NBR Chairman should be removed immediately, alleging that his leadership has only delayed meaningful reforms. They previously declared the Chairman “persona non grata” on the NBR premises. Criticising the NBR Reform Committee formed on June 19, the council demanded proper representation within the body. NBR officials issue ultimatum for removal of chairman The six-member committee, formed to amend revenue ordinances, comprises officials from the tax, customs and VAT wings but excludes any representatives from the reform council. Besides, no consultation was held with the council beforehand, they said. The government issued an ordinance on May 12 abolishing the NBR and the Internal Resources Division (IRD), replacing them with two new divisions: Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division. Since then, NBR officials under the Reform Unity Council have been staging various protest programmes. On May 26, the government announced that necessary amendments to the ordinance would be made through discussions by July 31. As part of that process, a new committee was formed earlier today. Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations from Shishu Mela to the National Board of Revenue (NBR) office and its surrounding areas at Agargaon in the capital with effect from Sunday which will remain in place until further notice, said a public notice.

Leaders of NBR Reform Unity Council on Monday demanded the removal of NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan by May 29, citing a lack of trust among officials and staff in his leadership . Speaking at a press conference, the council leaders said officials and staff have lost faith in the chairman’s ability to lead the institution effectively. Additional Tax Commissioner Monalisa Shaharin, Deputy Tax Commissioner Roisunn Nesa, and Second Secretary of NBR Shahadat Jamil spoke on behalf of the aggrieved officials. Other officers and staff members were also present. NBR Reform Unity Council rejects compromise claims, announces strike The protest organised under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council involves officials and employees from various wings of the revenue board. Alongside the demand for removal, they announced a continued programme of non-cooperation with the chairman. To offset revenue losses, the officials declared their intention to work additional hours voluntarily—up to three to four extra hours daily, if necessary. NBR officials go on full-fledged countrywide strike They also announced plans to host a seminar next month titled “What Kind of NBR Do We Want?” to further discuss reform priorities and organi sational expectations.  

The Inter-Cadre Discrimination Elimination Council, an organisation representing anti-discrimination officers in the Bangladesh Civil Service, has extended its support to the protesting National Board of Revenue (NBR) employees, stating that it agrees with their reasonable demands.  In a statement, the council’s coordinator, Muhammad Mofizur Rahman, acknowledged that an ordinance issued on May 12 proposes the abolition of the NBR and the formation of two separate departments. NBR Reform Unity Council launches non-cooperation programme He noted that the NBR Reform Unity Council has been systematically holding protests to press home three key demands, including the repeal of the ordinance.  “As part of their movement, they have presented three points of demand, and we agree with every reasonable request made by the NBR Reform Unity Council,” said Dr. Rahman.  Emphasising professionalism in the NBR reform process, he underscored the urgency of resolving the issue fairly and efficiently with all stakeholders.  “It is essential that revenue policy and management remain under the full authority of revenue cadre officials. While professionalism is prioritized worldwide, it is concerning to see it being undermined here due to outdated feudal concepts, which could result in long-term damage,” he stated.  The council stressed that NBR reform should be comprehensive, sustainable, and aligned with international best practices—ensuring benefits for the entire nation rather than any specific group.  “With over half a century of independence behind us, Bangladesh must move forward instead of clinging to colonial-era structures. Establishing a strong, modern, accountable, and welfare-oriented revenue system is imperative,” the statement read. NBR staff body terms meeting with Dr Salehuddin 'unsuccessful'  Rahman urged authorities to take immediate action and engage with relevant cadre members to resolve the ongoing complications.   

The NBR Reform Unity Council in a press release on Wednesday thanked all NBR employees and officials for their enthusiastic participation in the first day's event of the three- day pen down work abstention to protest split of the revenue authority. In the press release the platform said relevant stakeholders also expressed solidarity with the movement. The NBR Reform Unity Council, the press release said, has long been calling for a modern and sustainable reform of the national revenue system. Officials have expressed deep concern over the recently promulgated  revenue ordinance, which they claim was imposed without consulting the thousands of officers and employees in the customs and taxation services—despite being key stakeholders in the reform process. They also noted that the government-formed reform committee’s recommendations have not yet been made public or subjected to any meaningful discussion. The council fears that implementing the ordinance without transparency or stakeholder engagement will lead to chaos within the revenue administration. Bangladesh signs deal to receive $1.3 billion IMF loan: BB Governor In the press release, the NBR Reform Unity Council apologised to taxpayers and service seekers for any inconvenience caused. The council emphasised that this temporary sacrifice is aimed at safeguarding the national interest and ensuring sustainable reform in the revenue system. The protest action will continue on Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. However, international passenger services, export operations, and national budget preparation activities will remain outside the purview of the strike to avoid disruption to essential services like today. In a related development, the press release said, several key members of the BCS Customs and VAT Association—including the vice president, secretary general, treasurer, and joint secretary general—have resigned from the association’s executive committee in protest over institutional indifference to service-related issues and other concerns. Similarly, office bearers of the BCS (Taxation) Association have also started resigning from their respective posts in phases, it claimed. The growing unrest underscores the urgent need for the government to initiate an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure meaningful and sustainable revenue reform.