B Mirror Desk : A collective of former National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff has declared a pen-down strike scheduled for May 14, 15, and 17 to protest the dissolution of the organization. Sadhan Kumar Kundu, an additional customs commissioner and spokesperson for the demonstrators, revealed the strike’s timing and dates during a rally outside the NBR headquarters on May 13, organized by the NBR Sangskar Oikya Parishad.
According to the announcement, the protesters will continue to handle tasks related to airway passengers, exports, and the upcoming budget during the strike, while all other activities will be halted. Sadhan indicated that the strike will take place from 10 AM to 1 PM on May 14, and from 10 AM to 3 PM on May 15 and 17. They have called on the government to heed the recommendations of the NBR Reform Commission and engage in discussions with stakeholders.
The interim government dissolved the NBR through an ordinance, a decision that customs and tax officials have criticized, claiming the government ignored the Advisory Committee on Revenue Reforms’ report regarding the revenue board. On May 13, at 4:10 PM, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan was seen departing the NBR premises while a sit-in protest was ongoing, with employees expressing their discontent over the dissolution. The protesters accused the government of failing to consult stakeholders prior to this decision. As of 5:00 PM, the NBR Sangskar Oikya Parishad was still conducting a sit-in in front of the NBR headquarters, demanding the repeal of the ordinance that led to the revenue board’s dissolution. During this time, protesters were heard chanting slogans against the NBR chairman as he left the building.
During the program, Monalisa Shahrin Sushmita, the joint commissioner of taxes, expressed her concerns regarding the ordinance that was issued late at night, stating that it disregarded the suggestions made by the Reform Advisory Committee. She warned that if enacted, it would undermine the recognition of experienced and skilled professionals within the revenue system. Last night (12 May), President Shahabuddin enacted an ordinance that disbanded the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and established two new divisions: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
Officials from the Customs and Income Tax sectors of the NBR have voiced strong objections to this ordinance, arguing that rather than promoting the independence of revenue policy and management, it merely shifts the authority and power of the NBR to Administration cadre officials. Customs and tax officials have been opposing the ordinance since its draft phase, yet the government has proceeded with its issuance without making any substantial amendments to the initial draft.
