NBR abolition: Pen-down strike extended for another day

The NBR officials and employees have announced to extend the ongoing pen-down strike demanding the repeal of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) abolition ordinance and sustainable revenue reforms by another day.

At the same time, they said that the next programme will be announced through a press conference tomorrow (May 18) afternoon.

The 'NBR Reform Unity Council' made this announcement at a press conference after holding the programme from 10am to 3pm on Saturday (May 17).

NBR Additional Commissioner Md. Asaduzzaman and Deputy Commissioner Nipun Chakma were present at the press conference.

Asaduzzaman said that the 6-hour pen-down will contine till Sunday from 9am to 3pm.

However, as before, international passenger services, export activities and national budget formulation will be outside the programme.

Incidentally, on May 12 midnight, the interim government abolished the NBR and issued an ordinance to form two new departments called 'Revenue Policy' and 'Revenue Management'. Its draft was approved by the Advisory Council on April 17. However, NBR officials have been opposing this initiative from the beginning. They say that such reforms are unacceptable without the opinions of the concerned.

Many officials belonging to the association have resigned in protest. Since then, NBR officials and employees have been continuing the movement under the banner of 'Oikya Parishad'.

Asaduzzaman said: "We are in favor of reforms. However, these reforms must be realistic, based on the opinions of the stakeholders and through the evaluation of experience and skills."

He also said: "Although the movement is systematic, some outsiders tried to create chaos on Friday. The Oikya Parishad strongly protests against this."

Finally, he sought the intervention of the government's chief adviser and said: "We want a solution to this impasse through discussions."