Officials' protest negatively impacted revenue collection: NBR chairman

National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan has said that the ongoing protest by revenue officials over the reorganisation of the board and the NBR-related ordinance has had a somewhat negative impact on revenue collection.

Addressing a seminar at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) office in Dhaka's Paltan today (26 June), he said, "Revenue collection stood at Tk3.53 lakh crore as of 25 June in the ongoing 2024-25 fiscal year."

The collection in the previous 2023-24 fiscal year was Tk 3.63 lakh crore, according to finance ministry data.

He, however, expressed hope that collections are expected to rise further in the remaining days of the fiscal year.

Despite the disruption, the NBR chairman noted there has been slight year-on-year growth in revenue collection so far this year.

His remarks came after a large number of army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, and Ansar and VDP personnel were deployed around the NBR headquarters in Agargaon this morning, as protests by NBR officials continued demanding the chairman's removal.

Law enforcement officials barred the protesting staff from entering the premises.

The unrest began in early May after the government abolished the NBR and moved to create two new divisions. Officials launched protests, alleging that the administrative control would shift to officers from the administration cadre.

Following a temporary pause, the protesters resumed a pen-down strike on 23 June and announced a full shutdown from 28 June.

To address the issue, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has called a meeting with relevant parties this afternoon. The NBR chairman expressed hope that a solution might emerge from the meeting.

However, agitating officials have declared they will boycott the meeting, citing controversial remarks made earlier by the finance adviser.

Today's seminar on food security and VAT for marginalised people was chaired by ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, while General Secretary Abul Kashem was the moderator.

Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, president of the Bangladesh Bread and Biscuit Association, also spoke at the event.