NBR chairman faces protest over draft to split revenue policy and management
Officials from Dhaka offices under NBR will gather in front of its headquarters today, an official present at the scene, says
National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan is facing criticism and discontent within the organisation, particularly over a draft ordinance that proposes changes to revenue policy and management divisions.
Around 200 officials gathered in protest at NBR headquarters in the capital's Agargaon area today (29 April).
They alleged that the chairman is "tactfully bringing the NBR's operations under the control of the administration cadre" by splitting it into two divisions.
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, one official present at the scene told The Business Standard, "Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan faced strong resentment from the officials upon his arrival at the office this afternoon."
In an effort to address the unrest, the NBR chairman held a meeting with the officials and assured them that the implementation of the new ordinance would be deferred.
However, another official said, "We remain unconvinced by his assurances."
Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, President of the BCS Taxation Association, stated that the draft ordinance does not reflect the proposal submitted by the Revenue Reforms Committee. This means that someone has changed the report to serve individual interests..
After 9pm, officials protesting outside the chairman's room, left the office.
However, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all the officials from offices in Dhaka under the NBR will gather in front of its headquarters on Wednesday morning.
Efforts to reach the NBR chairman by phone for comment were unsuccessful. A message outlining the matter was also sent, but no response had been received yet.
Notably, a presidential ordinance is currently being processed to restructure the NBR. Once gazetted, the ordinance will dissolve the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and establish two new bodies: The Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
However, the draft appears to have largely been arranged, with the policy and management powers seemingly remaining in the hands of the administration cadre, NBR officials from two cadres said.
However, the NBR chairman had earlier assured them that the authority of the Revenue Policy and Management Divisions would remain under the officials from the Customs and Tax cadres.
The NBR chairman was notably appointed from the administration cadre, which has led to a lack of trust among revenue department officials.
