The NBR Reform Unity Council—a collective platform of officers and employees at all levels of the National Board of Revenue (NBR)—has issued an ultimatum demanding the removal of NBR Chairman Abu Hena Md. Rahmatul Muneem by May 29.
They have accused him of non-cooperation and secrecy during the drafting process of a recent ordinance that proposed dismantling the NBR and forming two new divisions: one for revenue policy and another for revenue administration.
During a press briefing in Dhaka, NBR officials stated that the chairman deliberately excluded internal stakeholders from the drafting process and obstructed efforts to convey their views on the future revenue structure to the government.
They cited a severe lack of trust and alleged that the chairman had previously undermined key audit activities to benefit specific groups and destabilized the economy by raising VAT rates mid-fiscal year without proper planning.
The officials emphasized that if their demand for the chairman’s removal is not met by the deadline, they will continue their declared non-cooperation program.
They also called for the appointment of a knowledgeable and experienced officer to lead the institution.
The Reform Council urged the government to publish the report from the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee and begin visible consultations and revisions to the ordinance by July 31.
They announced plans to hold a seminar titled “What Kind of NBR Do We Want?” next month, involving all stakeholders in discussions for a modern, citizen-focused NBR.
Earlier, on May 12, the government issued the ordinance to dissolve the NBR. In response, NBR staff initiated work stoppages, which were suspended after the Ministry of Finance assured revisions to the ordinance and consideration of most demands—except the demand for the chairman`s removal, which remains unresolved.
