Suspended NBR officials' reinstatement begins

The process to reinstate the suspended National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials has started in full swing as the departmental inquiry is making progress.

Around 33 officials of the income tax, VAT, and customs departments were suspended for tearing apart official transfer orders, closure of customs houses, and protests against the NBR bifurcation ordinance.

Some officials have already attended the hearing at the Internal Resources Division to explain their part in the protests.

A senior tax official says the government high-ups are a bit considerate about bringing back some officials with minor punishments as per the government service rules.

However, all officials may not get the same treatment as some were arrogant and rude at the hearing, while some have declined to attend it, he says. Officials who have apologised to the high-ups may be considered for reinstatement with nominal penalties, he adds.

NBR officials say an inquiry will be launched to assess the gravity of the offences.

However, the offences are similar, and it may not be difficult or time-consuming to decide what action will be taken, they add.

The Employee Discipline and Appeal Rules 2018 has provisions for two types of penalties - major and minor.

Minor punishments include reprimand, promotion and salary increase suspension, compensation for financial loss from salary and allowance, and downgrading salary to a lower level. Major punishments include downgrading the position or salary, mandatory retirement, termination, and removal from service.

Former income tax member Dr Aminul Karim suggests expediting the reinstatement as many honest and brilliant officials have been suspended.

"When I was the director general of the Central Intelligence Cell, I picked some of them for their clean image and honest track records," he says.

He also says the uncomfortable and fearful situation in the tax, VAT, and customs sections must end soon so that officials can concentrate on revenue collection.

"Minor offences and misunderstandings were there, too, for some officials, who deserve fair treatment," he says.

However, if any of the suspended officials is found involved in conspiracy, they may face a different action, he adds.

In May this year, NBR officials organised protests against the government's move to bifurcate the revenue board.

The protests were later called off due to businessmen's intervention, and the government amended the bifurcation ordinance.

However, the NBR launched action against officials involved in the protests and tearing apart office orders at the time.

The interim government aims to complete the bifurcation by forming two separate divisions - revenue policy and revenue administration.

doulotakter11@gmail.com