Govt issues amended ordinance on abolishing NBR, forming two divisions

The government has published a gazette notification of the amended ordinance on abolishing the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and forming two new divisions — the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division. 

The notification was released yesterday (1 September) on the website of the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press).

The amendment, recently approved by the Advisory Council, states that the head of the Revenue Management Division must be appointed from among officials with experience in revenue collection. This effectively ensures that current officials from the NBR's customs and income tax cadres will take leadership roles in the division.

On the other hand, the position of head of the Revenue Policy Division has been kept open not only for officials with experience in revenue matters but also for those with expertise in macroeconomics, trade policy, and planning. This means that, alongside NBR officials, administration cadre officers will also be eligible for the post.

Earlier in May, the government issued an ordinance dissolving the NBR and creating the two divisions. Following that decision, NBR officials accused the government of sidelining them to give administration cadre officers the opportunity to head both divisions. The discontent escalated into protests, which by late June disrupted port operations.

In response, the government took a hard line. More than 20 officials were dismissed, while hundreds faced punitive transfers.