The latest NBR meeting puts special emphasis on anti-smuggling activities
The authorities concerned have decided to conduct joint drives consisting of officials from the National Board of Revenue and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies to prevent revenue evasion in the country.
The joint teams will conduct the drive as the recently reconstituted central anti-smuggling taskforce has decided to take strict actions against dishonest traders evading revenues, laundering money and commit smuggling.
Currently, some 80% of the money laundering incidents are trade-based in Bangladesh.
This is one of the three core decisions taken in monthly revenue conference of NBR held at its headquarters on Monday.
NBR chairman Nojibur Rahman, also the head of the newly reconstituted anti-smuggling task force, disclosed the decision as the chair of the meeting. The meeting was attended by NBR members and commissioners from its customs and Value Added Tax (VAT) wing.
NBR organised the meeting a day after it hosted first meeting of the newly reconstituted anti-smuggling task force committee at is office on Sunday.
The latest meeting put special emphasis on anti-smuggling activities, along with other initiatives required for enhancing revenue collection activities.
The meeting instructed all NBR commissioners from income tax, customs and Value Added Tax wing to conduct the combined drives that will be jointly done with them and the members of recently reconstituted central anti-smuggling taskforce.
Central Intelligence Cell, Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, VAT Audit Intelligence and Investigation Directorate of NBR will conduct the drives in a combined way with other government agencies.
The government agencies involved in the drive are Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion, Narcotics Control Department, National Security Intelligence, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank and Railway Range of Bangladesh Police.
Prior to conduct the combined drives, the teams have to inform the central anti-smuggling taskforce and it can take support from all agencies involved in the initiative.
The meeting also decided to conduct anti-smuggling activities through teamwork, cooperation and regular communication with relevant stakeholders to expedite the taskforce activities.
It has also decided to take necessary initiatives for making the regional anti-smuggling taskforce led by the divisional commissioners more fruitful and results-oriented.
To make this happen, NBR Chief Nojibur Rahman has instructed the meeting organisers to ensure the presence of representatives from divisions, districts and upazila’s in the meeting.
In addition, all NBR commissioners have been asked to be in their office as full-time basis and they have to visit and monitor their subordinate offices properly.
Addressing the meeting, the NBR chairman said the security system of the state may face interruption due to smuggling and money laundering.
So everyone has to work together to combat these crimes, added Nojibur.
