NBR Reform Unity Council launches non-cooperation programme

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council has demanded the removal of the NBR chairman, alleging that he "failed to provide accurate information to the government’s policymakers".

Leaders of the council added that they were “deeply hurt” by comments made to the media by Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed following his meeting with NBR officials on the recent decision to split the tax administration authority.

On May 12, the government issued an ordinance to break up the NBR into two entities. In opposition to the move, officials from the customs, VAT, and income tax departments under the NBR have been protesting for a week.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, the council announced a series of new protest programmes, including a continuous campaign of non-cooperation with the NBR chairman.

PROTEST PROGRAMMES

-- From Wednesday, a continuous non-cooperation campaign with the NBR chairman will begin.

-- On Thursday, a memorandum will be submitted to the chief advisor outlining the demands of the council.

-- Sit-in programmes will be held on Thursday at NBR offices in Dhaka and other regional offices. Export and international passenger services will remain unaffected.

-- On Saturday and Sunday, a full work stoppage will be observed in all offices of the tax, customs, and VAT departments, excluding customs houses and LC stations. At customs houses and LC stations, a work stoppage will be observed from 9am to 5pm. Export and international passenger services will remain unaffected.

-- From Monday, a full work stoppage will continue in all offices of the tax, customs, and VAT departments, excluding international passenger services.

Amid continuing protests and calls for the repeal of the ordinance bifurcating the NBR, the finance advisor held a meeting on Tuesday with a 13-member delegation from the NBR Reform Unity Council.

Salehuddin was accompanied by two other interim government advisors at the meeting.

Also present were members of the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee, three former NBR members, and the current NBR chairman.

In a written statement about the meeting, the council said Salehuddin limited speaking time to six to seven minutes, citing other commitments.

Members of the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee said the issued ordinance did not reflect their interim report and stressed that adopting their recommendations would benefit the country and insisted NBR officials should lead the proposed entities, according to the statement.

After the committee members spoke, two advisors delivered remarks that "disappointed" the council.

"Regrettably, they expressed support for the ordinance and commented that it was well-formulated. They did not discuss which approach would be correct, internationally accepted, or in the best interest of the country."

Referring to Salehuddin's remarks to the media following the meeting, the council said: "He said the ordinance, approved in the interest of the country, businesses, and the people, will remain in place. However, they [the government] will try to address our issues by discussing them with the advisory committee and making necessary regulations or adjustments."

"He also said there will be no further discussion on this matter. Regarding whether our movement continues or not, he remarked that it does not make a difference."

The council said it was "deeply hurt" by the stark contrast between the government's policymakers’ statements during the meeting and those made afterwards to the media. "This reminds us of the post-fascist phase of the July Revolution."

Addressing its issues with the NBR chairman, the council said: "From the beginning, it has been apparent to us that the NBR chairman has failed to provide the government’s policymakers with accurate information about our lawful protest and its legitimacy. Instead, he has concealed the truth, which has contributed to the current crisis."