Tensions have resurfaced within the revenue administration as officials and employees renew their demand for the removal of Md Abdur Rahman, chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), alleging that he is misusing his authority through transfers that destabilize the administration.
A platform named NBR Reform Unity Council has announced a “complete and indefinite shutdown” of all offices under the tax, customs and VAT departments starting Saturday, unless the chairman is removed.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Revenue Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday by the Unity Council’s President, Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, and Secretary General Sehela Siddiqua.
They said that the NBR chairman has been misusing his authority to make transfers and create instability within the revenue administration.
Earlier in the day, as part of a pre-declared program, over a thousand officials and employees held a sit-in at the Revenue Building.
A work abstention was observed from 9am to 12pm.
Several participants wore symbolic shrouds as a form of protest.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, five officials from the income tax wing were transferred, further fueling discontent among NBR staff.
The transferred officials include personnel from the Intelligence Unit, Board Office and the Dhaka and Comilla tax zones.
According to the official orders, they are to join their new postings by Tuesday.
The Unity Council termed the transfer orders “retaliatory and coercive,” alleging that the decisions were made without adhering to civil service rules.
During the press conference, the council announced that if the transfer orders are not withdrawn by Monday, sit-ins and work abstentions will be observed across all offices from 9am to 2pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
They also said they would formally express disapproval of the chairman’s actions.
The council further alleged that the chairman has been targeting senior officials in disregard of transfer policies and accused him of mobilizing external support through a select group of associates to influence the movement.
According to the platform, such practices are disrupting the working environment of the revenue administration and may eventually impact revenue collection.
Earlier in May, the government issued an ordinance splitting the NBR into two divisions—Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration.
Following protests by NBR officials demanding the ordinance’s withdrawal, the government agreed to hold discussions.
However, the demand for the chairman’s removal remains unresolved.
Although Chairman Md Abdur Rahman has returned to office under the protection of security forces, communication with officials remains limited.
The transfer of several officials reportedly involved in the ongoing movement continues.
Observers warn that if the situation remains unaddressed, it may cause significant disruption to national revenue collection activities by the end of June.
