Staff Correspondent

Protesters have given the National Board of Revenue, or NBR, Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem a 24-hour deadline to resign.

If he does not step down within this time, they have announced an indefinite strike from Wednesday across all VAT Commissionerates, Custom Houses, and Tax Regions nationwide.

The announcement was made jointly by Aminul Islam Akash, president of the Bangladesh Inspector of Taxes Association, and Mujibur Rahman, acting president of the Bangladesh Customs and VAT Officers Association, during a demonstration outside the NBR building in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Monday.

Protestors also declared plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed, demanding the resignation of the NBR chairman.

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government amid mass protests, a wave of resignations has taken place under the interim government’s reform agenda.

This includes the chief justice, the governor, and several others who have stepped down under pressure.

Employees from the 10th to 20th grade, as well as customs and tax officials, began their protest last Tuesday, demanding the chairman’s resignation and the cessation of appointing administrative cadre officers on deputation to NBR.

Disgruntled employees from both Dhaka and outside the capital have joined the movement.

During Monday’s demonstration, several allegations were made against Muneem, including irregularities in recruitment, corruption in transfers and promotions, denial of retirement benefits, and facilitating money laundering and embezzlement.

The protestors also called for action against the First Secretary of Tax Administration Md Shahiduzzaman, First Secretary of Customs and VAT Administration Edatajul Islam, and former First Secretary of Board Administration Gausul Azam, who were identified as Muneem’s associates.

They presented the following demands:

• Ending the appointment of administrative cadre officers on deputation to NBR

• Appointing the chairman from within the income tax or customs cadre

• Halting the practice of trading transfers every two years

• Cancelling illegal appointments and those made through outsourcing

• Following seniority rules and laws in postings

• Promoting to vacant positions and ensuring no position remains unfilled

• Consulting with the associations on matters concerning their interests

• Keeping decisions related to the income tax division solely in the hands of income tax officials and employees