by 
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is witnessing the second consecutive day of a complete shutdown as part of a nationwide protest. Starting from Saturday (June 28), demonstrators have enforced a full-day shutdown across NBR and other customs and tax offices nationwide. On Sunday (June 29), the presence of protesters outside the Revenue Building in Agargaon grew significantly from around 10:30 AM. However, compared to yesterday, entry through the main gate saw some relaxation today.
Officials were allowed to enter the building upon showing their identification cards. Additionally, a meeting between the Finance Adviser and the NBR Reform Unity Council is scheduled for 4 PM today, with the council nominating 20 members to participate.
While members of RAB, police, coastguard, BGB, and Ansar were stationed outside the Revenue Building as they were yesterday, their numbers were noticeably lower today. Unlike Saturday, when no one was allowed to enter, some officials were seen gathering at the banyan tree area inside the main gate today. A police officer stated, “We’ve been instructed to allow officials to enter until 10 AM. They are being permitted entry upon showing their ID cards.”
NBR officials reported that as the day progresses, more officers from Dhaka and other parts of the country are expected to join the movement. On Saturday, a ‘March to NBR’ program was observed from various customs and tax offices, resulting in a complete halt of operations at major facilities like Chittagong Port, Benapole Port, and Dhaka Custom House, effectively suspending revenue collection.
The NBR Reform Unity Council announced yesterday that the ‘shutdown’ and ‘March to NBR’ programs would continue today. The protesters are open to discussions with the government but have set a condition that the current NBR Chairman must be removed. They allege that the Chairman has been ignoring NBR officials and employees in the ongoing revenue sector reforms and suppressing the protesters.
