Reform Unity calls march to NBR today

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council, a coalition of protesting NBR officials and staff, is set to march to the NBR headquarters this (Saturday) morning as part of its previously announced 'Complete Shutdown' programme. The group is demanding removal of NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan.

The 'Complete Shutdown' calls for a nationwide closure of all tax, customs, and VAT offices from today. The Council has also announced a coordinated "March to NBR" programme from all departmental offices across the country.

Speaking to The Financial Express, Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabder, President of the NBR Reform Unity Council, said, NBR officials were coming from various parts of the country to join the scheduled 'Complete Shutdown' programme.

However, in a press release issued on Friday, the Ministry of Finance claimed that the Unity Council had withdrawn both the 'Complete Shutdown' and 'March to NBR' programmes. The ministry cited progress made during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour-long high-level meeting held at the office of the Finance Adviser on Thursday evening (June 26) to resolve the deadlock surrounding the Council's demands.

According to the press release, two key decisions were made during the meeting- recent transfer orders involving some particular NBR officials would be reconsidered and a discussion meeting on amending the "Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration Ordinance, 2025" would be held on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, at 4:00 PM.

The press release, signed by Gazi Touhidul Islam, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Finance, stated that in the interest of maintaining national trade, import-export activities, and public service delivery -- while safeguarding broader national interests -- the government directs all NBR officials and employees to withdraw the announced "Complete Shutdown" and "March to NBR" programmes and return to their respective offices to resume official duties.

Despite the ministry's claims, Rikabder told The Financial Express, "We are not aware of any such decisions or meetings. Our programme will proceed as scheduled during regular office hours. No officials from the Ministry of Finance have communicated with us."

Later in a statement the NBR Reform Unity Council said the council outlined its grievances and reaffirmed its commitment to the previously announced programme, which includes a full-day shutdown of all tax, customs, and VAT offices nationwide today.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council has expressed deep disappointment over its exclusion from a recent high-level meeting convened by the Economic Adviser, labelling the development as "deeply regrettable".

"The Council considers itself to have been disregarded, as it was not invited to the 26 June meeting held at the Finance Adviser's office," the statement read.

Leading business bodies will hold a joint press conference today on the NBR deadlock and its impact on the economy.

Presidents and senior leaders from several prominent organisations are expected to attend the briefing, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), and the Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF).

In an official statement issued on Friday, the NBR expressed serious concern over the current situation and reminded all staff that, under existing government service rules, absence from duty without prior permission, leaving the office without authorisation, or reporting late are considered violations of office discipline and are punishable offences.

To maintain discipline and ensure smooth operations during the last three working days of the fiscal year -- particularly to support business, trade, imports, exports, and revenue collection -- the NBR instructed all Customs Houses, Tax Commissionerates, and VAT Commissionerates to ensure full attendance and active service delivery by all officers and staff under their supervision.

The order further specifies that any officer or staff member who needs to leave the office during working hours for official or emergency purposes must obtain prior approval from their department head and record the departure in the 'Office Exit Register' maintained by the department.

The NBR has also warned that any official found absent without permission, leaving the office without authorisation, or arriving late will face disciplinary action in accordance with government service regulations.

newsmanjasi@gamil.com