Necessary amendments to NBR division ordinance will be made: Finance Ministry

The administrative structure of the Revenue Policy and Implementation Divisions under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will be formulated by incorporating necessary amendments to the ordinance through discussions with NBR and key stakeholders, ensuring that the interests of customs and tax cadre officers remain protected.

This information was shared in a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday (22 May).

The statement mentioned that, during Tuesday’s meeting, the Finance Adviser said that the ordinance will be implemented only after holding detailed discussions with the Revenue Policy Reform Advisory Committee and other stakeholders, and making necessary amendments. In this context, the decision by the “Oikya Parishad” to again call for a non-cooperation movement has no logical basis after such productive discussions.

The press release further stated that after the ordinance was issued, multiple steps must be taken for its implementation, including the creation of new organizational structures for the two divisions, approval for new positions from the Ministry of Public Administration, the Finance Division's Expenditure Management and Implementation wings, and final approval from the Secretary Committee. Additionally, relevant rules and regulations of existing laws must be amended for the two new divisions. All these processes are time-consuming. Without completing these steps, the ordinance cannot be implemented. Therefore, there is no possibility of the NBR being dissolved anytime soon.

It also mentioned that, on Thursday, during day-long discussions mediated by two former NBR members, the Ministry of Finance accepted the full compromise proposal submitted by Oikya Parishad. Despite this, at the last moment, they refused to withdraw their protest program and return to work.

Hence, through this press release, it is once again clarified that implementing the ordinance with necessary amendments will take considerable time. Until then, all activities of the NBR will continue as usual, and officers and employees of the Customs and Income Tax cadres will perform their duties under the existing system. The administrative structure for the separation of the two divisions will be developed through discussions with NBR and relevant stakeholders, keeping the interests of BCS (Tax) and BCS (Customs and Excise) cadres intact, and necessary amendments will be made to the ordinance accordingly.

The press release further stated that the government has no plan to reduce the number of posts or positions of Customs and Tax cadre members. On the contrary, once the reform is completed, the number of posts will increase, and there will be more opportunities for promotion, including appointments to Secretary-level positions.

With these reassurances, the Ministry of Finance also requested all levels of NBR officers and employees, who are engaged in the national budget activities and revenue collection at the end of the fiscal year, to remain present in their offices during working hours and continue the revenue collection process with sincerity, while providing the expected services to taxpayers in the greater interest of the nation.