Restrictions on entry to NBR over security concerns

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has said that a 'security concern' has emerged due to an increase in outsiders entering its main office, Rajswa Bhaban. For this reason, new measures have been taken to control entry into the building.

In a notice issued on Monday, September 14, the NBR said that in order to control the entry of outsiders into Rajswa Bhaban, all officials and employees of the NBR and other departments housed in the building must use official identity cards to enter from Tuesday, September 15.

The NBR's main office in Agargaon, Dhaka, houses several departments of the organisation, including the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC), the Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit, the Large Taxpayers Unit for Income Tax and Value Added Tax (VAT), and the Appellate Division.

After the February election, a new BNP government came to power after nearly two decades. Amid changes in the administration that followed, the post of NBR chairman also changed. Tax cadre officer Ahsan Habib was given charge of the NBR.

After that, various individuals began coming to the NBR building using political identities. Many gathered to greet the chairman with flowers, though he declined.

At the same time, when NBR officials from various batches attempted to greet Ahsan Habib collectively, that initiative was also stopped. The NBR also issued instructions not to leave one's workplace without permission during office hours.

However, individuals coming with political identities could not be prevented from entering. Even security personnel could not separate them by looking at their attire.

In this situation, the notice stated that a decision has been taken to make the use of identity cards mandatory for identifying officials and employees of the NBR and other departments housed in Rajswa Bhaban.