Finance adviser suspects AL-affiliated businessmen's involvement behind NBR employees' protest against reform

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has expressed suspicion that certain business beneficiaries from the previous Awami League government might be fueling the ongoing protests by National Board of Revenue (NBR) employees against the government's reform plans.

The government's initiative to split the NBR into two divisions – Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division – has faced unexpected backlash, particularly from members of the BCS (Tax) and BCS (Customs and Excise) cadres, Salehuddin told reporters today (25 June) after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat.

"There is a negative perception that the careers of the NBR officers will be harmed. But that's not true. Their careers will not be affected. In fact, their status will improve. The NBR will become a separate division, and their promotion prospects will be better. Now, who convinced them otherwise is something that insiders can probably explain better," Adviser Salehuddin said.

Criticising the ongoing work abstention by NBR officials, Salehuddin added, "This is unprecedented for public servants, especially from the NBR. Their absence from work affects not just themselves, but the entire country's trade, revenue, port activities, and import-export operations. I've said before, there is no problem that cannot be resolved through discussion."

On whether certain business interests may be behind the protest, the adviser said, "We are trying to reform the NBR because there were many discrepancies, there was a lack of transparency and accountability. Previously, only a handful of businesspeople benefited, often those close to the ruling party, while the deserving ones were left out. The NBR was far from being a level playing field."

"I suspect there are vested interests at play. Otherwise, why would they be so suddenly outraged over career concerns? If there wasn't something more behind it, this reaction wouldn't make sense. But to be clear, I'm not directly blaming the business community," Salehuddin further said.

When asked whether the protesting NBR employees were violating service rules, Salehuddin said, "Yes, they are. But we're being patient. If someone wants to serve in government, they must abide by rules and maintain discipline."

The protesting officials claim the reform will increase dominance by the administration cadre in revenue operations.

In response, NBR staff have staged demonstrations and work abstentions at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon.

While the government has temporarily postponed the implementation of the ordinance until July, tensions remain high.