United News of Bangladesh

The government has demoted two National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials by two pay grades each after disciplinary proceedings found them guilty of misconduct in separate incidents linked to protests and defiance of official orders. According to separate gazette notifications, Additional Tax Commissioner Chand Sultana Chowdhurani and Joint Tax Commissioner Masuma Khatun were punished under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Their suspension orders have also been withdrawn, with the penalties taking immediate effect. Read More: NBR extends income tax return deadline to January 31 Chand Sultana Chowdhurani (Employee ID: 200366), who was serving as Additional Tax Commissioner (current charge) and Officer on Special Duty at the NBR, was accused of instigating officials to abandon official duties and assemble at the Revenue Building following the promulgation of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025. The allegations stem from WhatsApp messages she posted on June 26, 2025, calling on NBR officials to “come down” and enquiring which tax commissioners were heading towards the NBR in solidarity with a reform platform. Authorities said her actions disrupted revenue collection activities and constituted a clear violation of the Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1979. After departmental proceedings, including a personal hearing and a formal investigation, the charges of misconduct were proven beyond doubt. Read More: NBR enables election aspirants to file online tax returns As punishment, her basic pay has been reduced by two grades — from Tk 58,560 to Tk 53,610 — while her temporary suspension has been revoked. In a separate case, Masuma Khatun (Employee ID: 200297), Joint Tax Commissioner and Officer on Special Duty at the NBR, was found guilty of publicly tearing up a transfer order in front of electronic and print media on June 24, 2025, at the entrance of the Revenue Building. The authorities stated that her actions amounted to insubordination, defiance of a lawful government order and conduct unbecoming of a public servant, in violation of existing conduct and discipline rules. Following an investigation and personal hearing, the allegations of misconduct were also proven against her. Consequently, her basic pay has been reduced by two grades — from Tk 69,850 to Tk 63,960 — and her suspension order has been withdrawn. Both penalties have been imposed as minor punishments under Rule 4(2)(gh) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018 and are effective immediately.