A legal challenge has been filed against the interim government’s recent ordinance dissolving the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and establishing two new entities — the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
Supreme Court lawyer Jewel Azad submitted the writ petition to the High Court on Saturday, questioning the constitutionality of the restructuring move.
The petition contends that the ordinance, issued on May 12, violates articles 26, 29(1), and 31 of the National Constitution, which safeguard fundamental rights, equal employment opportunities, and legal protection.
Azad argues that the dissolution of the NBR, established through a 1972 presidential order, bypassed necessary legal procedures and lacked adequate consultation with stakeholders.
“The ordinance was enacted hastily without publishing the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report or engaging in comprehensive discussions with relevant stakeholders,” Azad stated while speaking to a news agency.
He emphasised that the restructuring could disadvantage existing NBR officials by allowing administrative cadre officers of the Bangladesh Civil Service to occupy key positions in the new divisions, potentially undermining the expertise of seasoned revenue professionals.
The writ petition seeks a High Court directive to stay the implementation of the ordinance and to require the government to disclose the advisory committee’s recommendations. The court is expected to hear the petition later this week, according to the plaintiff.
In parallel, NBR officers and employees, under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council, continued their work abstention on Saturday, protesting the government’s decision.
Their demands include the immediate withdrawal of the ordinance, public disclosure of the reform committee’s report, and inclusive consultations for any future reforms.
Despite the interim government’s assertion that the restructuring aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in revenue collection, the protesters argue that it marginalises experienced revenue officials and was implemented without proper stakeholder engagement.