Staff Reporter :
The Ministry of Finance has withdrawn its ordinance to split the National Board of Revenue (NBR) amid strong protests from officials, effectively reversing its earlier decision.
According to a press release issued on Thursday by the ministry’s Relations Officer, Gazi Touhidul Islam, the NBR will continue to operate under its existing structure until any further amendments are made.
Customs and income tax cadre officials will carry on with their duties under the current system.
The reversal follows mounting pressure from NBR officials. Earlier in the day, a delegation representing the NBR Reform Unity Parishad submitted a memorandum to the Chief Adviser, demanding the immediate repeal of the ordinance that sought to separate the NBR’s policy and management functions.
The memorandum was handed to Shabbir Ahmad, Assistant Private Secretary to the Chief Adviser, by a five-member delegation that included Additional Commissioners Sehela Siddiqua and Hasan Mohammad Tarek Rikabder.
In addition to opposing the split, the delegation called for the removal of the NBR chairman, public disclosure of the Revenue Reform Committee’s recommendations, and a comprehensive review of all proposed reforms – to be conducted in consultation with businesses, civil society, and political leaders.
Speaking anonymously, one delegate told reporters that the memorandum emphasized the need for direct dialogue with the Chief Adviser to present the concerns and aspirations of NBR’s younger officers.
“Listen to the vision of young NBR officers for Bangladesh’s future revenue structure. We want reforms based on internationally recognized best practices,” the memorandum stated.
The document also expressed concern over the creation of two new divisions under the Ministry of Finance – the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
Officials argue the new structure would give the policy division disproportionate control over management operations, undermining the intended separation of powers.
The Unity Parishad further alleged that the ordinance was a strategic move to consolidate control under the administration cadre, sidelining established NBR customs and tax officials.
Meanwhile, officials and employees from the customs, VAT, and income tax departments staged a day-long sit-in on Thursday at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon.
At a press conference held the previous day, NBR officers announced the launch of a continuous non-cooperation movement.
The protesting officials also declared a full-scale work stoppage – excluding customs houses and land customs stations – across all tax, VAT, and customs offices starting 24 May.
If their demands remain unmet, they have warned of a complete halt to all NBR activities, except international passenger services, beginning 26 May.
For the past week, officials have been staging daily five-hour pen-down strikes in protest of the ordinance.
