Revenue does not match number of existing TIN certificates: White Paper body

The actual amount of revenue collection does not match the number of existing TIN certificates claimed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), said White Paper Committee member Abu Yusuf today (2 December).

"Moreover, there is no stipulated course of action for the accounts of people who pass away. The revenue board has been unable to provide this information to the committee," he said.

He made the observation during a press conference organised by the committee at the National Economic Council Conference Room at the planning ministry in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Abu Yusuf also said there is no clear structure of how various individuals, groups, or sectors have been given tax exemptions.

At the press conference, Debapriya Bhattacharya, head of the White Paper committee, said, "Long-term reform initiatives cannot be implemented without ensuring the country's economic and political stability. Before the next national budget is presented, the current government must clarify its actions to reform the economy. There is a need to introduce greater accountability."

"At first glance, it appears that this government may not remain in power for the next five years. However, at least a two-year action plan must be presented," he added.

He also said as Bangladesh has fulfilled three conditions for graduating from the least developed country (LDC) status, there is no reason to postpone the country's graduation to a developing country.

The White Paper Committee submitted the 400-page document to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his Tejgaon office in Dhaka yesterday (1 December).

According to the White Paper, during the 15 years of the Sheikh Hasina regime, project costs rose by an average of 70%, and completion delays exceeded five years.

Of the $60 billion invested in development projects through the Annual Development Programme (ADP), an estimated $14–24 billion (Tk1.61–2.80 lakh crore) was lost to corruption, including political extortion, bribery, and inflated budgets.

The White Paper identified widespread misappropriation of funds during land acquisitions and the appointment of politically favoured project directors as key factors undermining the efficiency of infrastructure and social investments.