NBR suspends three more officials for indiscipline

The latest step took the total number of suspended NBR officials to 27 following the recent protests by the revenue agency’s officials and employees on the government’s decision to bifurcate it into two entities.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman signed separate suspension orders against Abdullah Al Mamun of the Income Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit, Ruhul Amin from Tax Zone-6, and Lokman Ahmed from Tax Zone-2.

According to the official notice, the three officials exhibited “defiant and unruly behavior” by publicly destroying the transfer orders issued to five deputy tax commissioners, which was deemed an act of insubordination.

As per Section 39(1) of the Government Service Act, 2018, they were temporarily suspended and reassigned as officers on special duty (OSD). They will be entitled to subsistence allowance during the suspension period.

This disciplinary move follows a wave of suspensions targeting NBR staff members who participated in recent protests demanding rational and inclusive revenue reforms.

On Wednesday, nine officials—from deputy commissioners to security staff—were also suspended.

On Tuesday, 14 customs, tax, and VAT officers faced similar actions, all for defying or destroying transfer orders.

Among those suspended earlier this week were senior officials including Additional Commissioner of VAT Intelligence Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar—also president of the NBR Unification Council—and Additional Tax Commissioner of Tax Zone-8 Mirza Ashiq Rana, who serves as the council’s vice-president. Others include deputy and joint commissioners from various tax zones, customs offices, and the National Single Window Project.

NBR sources confirmed that most of the suspended officials were actively involved in last month's movement under the banner of the NBR Unification Council, with some taking up leadership roles.

The protests, which called for fair reforms in the revenue structure following the issuance of a new ordinance in May, culminated in a nationwide work stoppage on June 28–29.

Though the protests were called off following mediation by business leaders, punitive actions against participants have since intensified.

So far, three NBR members and one commissioner have been sent into compulsory retirement. In addition, the then Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House was suspended for halting operations during the strike.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also launched investigations against 16 officials—most of whom were connected to the reform protests.

The unrest began after the government dissolved the NBR through an ordinance on May 12, dividing it into two separate entities: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division, reports UNB. 

Protesting officials claimed the reform was rushed and failed to incorporate stakeholder input.