Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Sunday alleged that “trickery tactics” were employed in drafting the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance.
He made the remarks at a press conference held at the Power Division’s conference room in the Secretariat.
The adviser claimed that those responsible for drafting the ordinance had resorted to manoeuvring in its formulation.
He stated that the ordinance would be amended, adding that neither the Administration Cadre nor the Customs and Tax Cadres would be allowed to dominate the two proposed divisions — the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
A separate policy guideline will be recommended for appointing secretaries and senior officials in both divisions, with specific qualification criteria to be defined for such high-level appointments.
The ordinance in question was issued late at night on 12 May this year, abolishing the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and establishing the two new entities.
Mr Khan, who heads a government-formed committee tasked with strengthening revenue mobilisation, said the press conference was convened to brief the media on the committee’s progress.
He noted that recent unrest surrounding the ordinance stemmed from longstanding tensions between the Administration Cadre and other civil service cadres.
He criticised the sudden issuance of the ordinance, saying it contains several fundamental flaws.
“For example, one clause says a ‘qualified person’ will be appointed as Secretary of the Revenue Policy Division. But who is this ‘qualified person’? Abul Barkat (former Janata Bank official)?” he remarked, adding that the committee had identified several such ambiguities and would submit its recommendations to the Finance Adviser.
The energy adviser further stated that the NBR, as it currently exists, would no longer remain.
“When people hear the name ‘NBR’, they burst into laughter — and we all know why. It would be better if the name no longer existed at all,” he said.
He reiterated that neither the Administration Cadre nor the Customs and Tax Cadres would be allowed to dominate the structure and operations of the new divisions.
Responding to a question from a journalist about how the ordinance had been passed by the Advisory Council, Mr Khan said:
“We cannot foresee the future. We have our limitations — and that is why the government formed a five-member committee. Mistakes happen — we made one, and we are now correcting it.”
Asked whether the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had been used to suppress the NBR movement, he replied:
“Not at all. The process had been initiated earlier and is still ongoing. Misconduct by certain NBR officials only accelerated it. If they are innocent, the ACC will exonerate them.”
In response to another question about whether NBR officials are currently in fear, he said:
“They have lost the government’s trust — and it is due to their own behaviour. To restore that trust, they must now expedite revenue collection.”
When asked whether the government was offering reassurance to NBR officials, the adviser said:
“They are not children. They were assured at the beginning of the movement. Yet, they continued protesting for two months. What is this — Khatunganj wholesale market? Everyone abandoned their responsibilities and joined the protest. Businesses suffered massive losses. Who will compensate for that?”
He added, “Their focus now should be on regaining the trust of the government. This is not a private enterprise. They disrupted revenue mobilisation and, in the name of protest, adopted an anti-government stance. The government has shown extraordinary patience.”
Mr Khan noted that the committee’s report would soon be submitted to the Finance Adviser.
Also present at the press conference were Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Although NBR officials have suspended their movement, the pace of revenue collection remains slow, he observed.
“We will carry out field visits to assess the situation — to examine what kind of services were offered before, what is being offered now, and how effectively revenue is being collected,” he said.
In response to a question from The Financial Express regarding whether business leaders remain in the dark about President Trump’s proposed tariff regime, Mr Khan said:
“There is no reason for them to be unaware. We have already held meetings with the country’s top business leaders.”
He added, “Our discussions with the United States go far beyond tariffs. They are also prioritising their national security. They are examining how Bangladesh manages its relationships with other countries. A broader framework is currently being developed that incorporates these considerations. The discussions include not just tariffs but also non-tariff barriers.”
newsmanjasi@gmail.com