The government on Wednesday retired three members and one commissioner of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in what officials describe as a decision taken “in public interest” under Section 45 of the Government Service Act, 2018.
The four senior officials are Alamgir Hossain, Hossain Ahmed, and Abdur Rouf — all members of the NBR — and Md Shabbir Ahmed, who was serving as acting commissioner of the Barisal Tax Region.
The Internal Resources Division (IRD) issued four separate notices in the afternoon confirming their retirement. Each of the officials has completed 25 years of service, allowing the government to exercise the provision for early retirement without citing cause.
While the official orders do not link the move to any specific event, officials within the revenue board suggest the action comes in the aftermath of growing friction between tax administrators and the ministry over long-standing demands for structural reform.
Wave of disciplinary actions follows protest
The decision follows closely on the heels of disciplinary action against Chattogram Custom House Commissioner Md Zakir Hossain, who was suspended late Tuesday for failing to keep the customs house operational during a nationwide protest on June 28 and 29.
Zakir was removed for noncompliance with government directives, which led to a suspension of port operations and losses in revenue collection. Md Shafi Uddin, formerly with the Chattogram Customs Bond Commissionerate, has been assigned to take over his role.
The two-day shutdown was observed across customs and tax offices under the banner of the NBR Sanskar Oikya Parishad, a platform demanding a restructured pay scale, better promotion policies, and service reform.
Broader concerns shake the revenue board
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is carrying out investigations into alleged misconduct involving 11 current and former NBR officials. Among those being looked into are two sitting members of the board and Hassan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, convener of the recent protest movement.
Although the IRD’s orders did not explicitly mention the recent demonstration or the ongoing investigations, the timing has not gone unnoticed by senior revenue officers.
“This is clearly a signal,” said one senior official, requesting anonymity. “It reflects the ministry’s current posture toward internal dissent.”
Message of discipline amid reform talks
While the public messaging emphasises rules and regulations, insiders view the forced retirements and suspensions as a warning to those pushing back against the current system.
Observers note that tensions within the NBR have been building for months as officials sought greater transparency and modernisation of the tax structure – calls that now appear to have met with hard resistance.
As the revenue sector enters a new fiscal year, the government’s assertive stance indicates that internal order will take precedence over accommodation in the near term.