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The NBR Reform Unity Council has accused NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan of obstructing the government's revenue reform agenda and threatened a nationwide shutdown if he is not removed by June 27.
At a press conference held Tuesday at the NBR headquarters in the capital's Agargaon, Council leaders alleged that the chairman is acting to protect the interests of what they termed the "fugitive fascist Awami regime" by stalling much-needed reforms through politically motivated transfers and disruptive actions.
As part of their protest, customs and tax officials observed a second consecutive day of pen-down and sit-in demonstrations from 9am to 2pm at the NBR office and across field offices nationwide.
Protesters tore up recent transfer orders and staged a symbolic sit-in on the building's ground floor.
Council President and Additional Commissioner Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar addressed the gathering, vowing to continue the movement until "logical and meaningful" reforms are adopted.
The Council cited the recent forced retirement of six senior bureaucrats as evidence of a broader campaign to suppress reformists and claimed the NBR chairman is working to mislead policymakers and isolate the Unity Council, despite prior government acceptance of several Council demands.
A key grievance was the chairman's refusal to permit a stakeholder seminar titled "What Kind of NBR Do We Want?" -- allegedly ignoring formal requests, forcing officials to hold the discussion while seated on the floor. They also said a subsequent ban on gatherings in and around the building further escalated tensions.
The Council also condemned the exclusion of its representatives from a six-member ordinance reform committee.
It criticised the appointment of the committee's coordinator, reportedly the second-junior member and former BCS (Taxation) Association chief, calling it a move to maintain control through loyalists.
Additional allegations included violations of civil service rules in the transfer of a commissioner, the appointment of a controversial figure to a key post, and the abrupt reassignment of five senior tax officers.
The chairman was also accused of deploying outside actors to disrupt peaceful protests and threatening protesting staff with punitive transfers -- actions the Council says are harming office workflow and revenue collection.
They also reminded the public that the current chairman served as secretary of the Financial Institutions Division during the Awami League era, a period linked to major banking scandals involving the S Alam Group and others.
Declaring the chairman "unwelcome" at the Revenue Building, the Council demanded his immediate removal, cancellation of politically motivated transfers, and reformation of the ordinance reform committee with Council representation.
If demands are not met by June 27, the Council warned of a complete and indefinite suspension of all income tax, VAT, and customs operations nationwide.
While international passenger services will be exempt, the Council cautioned that a shutdown could severely impact revenue collection and force the government into costly borrowing, potentially stoking inflation and harming private investment.
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