United News of Bangladesh

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.