NBR officers gripped by fear as govt gets tough  

Following the recent movement by National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff and the "complete shutdown" of port operations, the government appears to have taken a hardline, starting with the suspension of the Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House and four other senior officials.

Official sources say discussions are ongoing to take steps against at least six more officials and punitive measures could range from suspension to transfers. Meanwhile, the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated investigations over the past two days against 11 officers for alleged illicit wealth accumulation.

Most of those under investigation were frontliners in the recent movement, except for two top NBR officials. This has prompted allegations among NBR officers that, much like the previous Awami League administration, the current government is using the ACC as a tool – a claim denied by the finance adviser.

Four NBR officials sent on forced retirement

The government today (2 July) sent four senior officials of NBR on forced retirement. This move comes a day after the suspension of the commissioner of Chattogram Custom House for allegedly disrupting customs operations by participating in the "complete shutdown" programme of protesting NBR officials.

The officials are Dr Md Abdur Rouf, member of VAT Policy; Hossain Ahmed, member of Customs Policy and ICT; Alamgir Hossain, member; and Md Shabbir Ahmed, tax commissioner of Barishal Tax Region.

The Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the finance ministry issued a notification today regarding the NBR officials' forced retirement under Section 45 of the Government Service Act 2018.

According to the notification, all four officials have completed 25 years in service, making them eligible for forced retirement under government rules. They will receive retirement benefits in accordance with existing regulations.

Growing anxiety

Conversations with NBR field-level officers reveal growing anxiety and discomfort within both the head office and field units. 

Senior business leaders, who had stepped in as mediators during the standoff, are closely monitoring the unfolding situation. They intend to formally write to the government soon, urging calm and a peaceful resolution.

Sources say the matter has already been discussed with Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, who assured business leaders that there will be no large-scale crackdown. Still, a senior official at the finance ministry told The Business Standard that more disciplinary actions may follow.

"Further action against some officers is likely," the official said on condition of anonymity before today's forced retirement order. However, he declined to elaborate on the nature of those measures, adding, "You'll see when the time comes."

Officials further claimed a powerful force – both domestic and international – was behind this movement.

Leaders of the NBR movement, however, reject these accusations. 

One of them said, "We are being portrayed as criminals to the public. But the 'complete shutdown' didn't happen overnight. The government's top brass simply refused to listen to us."

He added, "There is a lingering sense of frustration, fear, and unease in every office. Under such pressure, normal work cannot resume." 

No official agreed to speak on the record, fearing backlash.

The NBR employs around 23,000 people, with roughly 1,500 officers from the customs and tax cadres.

Business leaders are concerned that the government's hardline approach could ultimately derail the reform process. To de-escalate tensions, they are preparing to send a letter to the government shortly.

Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, executive President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told TBS, "We're preparing a letter to both the NBR chairman and the finance adviser to urge restraint and prevent the situation from escalating further."

He said, "Action must be taken against corrupt officials, but reform must come first."

Another business leader involved in the discussions with the finance adviser told TBS, "After such a major conflict like the complete shutdown, some damage is inevitable. But the adviser assured us there wouldn't be a sweeping crackdown."

The NBR officers launched their movement after the government issued an ordinance dissolving the agency and creating two separate divisions for policy and management. They alleged the ordinances were drafted in such a way as to allow administration cadre officers to take control, bypassing the recommendations of the NBR reform committee.