Economic Reporter//

The newly appointed chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Abdur Rahman Khan has expressed his determination to bring bank robbers and money smugglers under the law.

At the same time, he said to take care to ensure that no more rogues or Frankensteins are created in NBR like Matiur Rahman in the goat incident and to conduct 360 degree evaluation in the case of regular promotion and promotion of officers and employees on the basis of seniority.

He said these things in an exchange meeting with income tax and customs officials at the revenue building in capital’s Agargaon on Sunday. Senior officers of NBR were present at this time.

Later, in an exchange meeting with journalists, he answered various questions about black money, NBR corruption, reforms, revenue collection situation.

The NBR chairman said that action will be taken against those who committed looting and money laundering in the financial sector in the last 15 years. BFIU is working on money laundering, CICO of NBR will also work. Maybe it will take some time. Preparing I will start working when everything is settled.

Regarding the corruption of officials and employees, he said, not big or small, everyone has been given a strong message. If they can’t change themselves they won’t exist. And care will be taken so that no rogue or Frankenstein is created. We civil servants have forgotten, we too have masters. That master is the people. At least the anti-quota movement has reminded that anew. So the officials should follow the law and work with the spirit of public service.

In response to the question whether the opportunity to turn black money into white will remain, Abdur Rahman said, “My personal opinion is that it is very indecent and unacceptable.” Acknowledging corruption by giving opportunities to launder black money. This discourages honest taxpayers. I personally oppose it.

Regarding the revenue collection situation, Abdur Rahman Khan said that the tax-GDP ratio is low. We are lagging behind Pakistan in this regard. This happened because Karjal could not be increased. At present 5.2 percent of the total population is covered by the tax. That which is extended is also extended by force, by the stroke of the pen. To increase the tax net, tax education will be emphasized as in the developed world. Efforts will be made to include stories related to taxation in textbooks to raise awareness among students at secondary and higher secondary levels.

The NBR chairman also said that there is confusion about the actual data of revenue collection. Bangladesh Bank and CGA accounts do not match NBR accounts. He informed the officials that CGA will be taken into account in future revenue collection to remove the discrepancy.

Abdur Rahman Khan said to the officers and employees that all categories of officers and employees will be promoted according to the seniority rules. Deprived will be promoted faster. 360 degree evaluation of officers will be done for promotion. Just pleasing the boss won’t do. Every officer will be evaluated and posted accordingly on the basis of behavior with subordinates and public, work performance.

Abdur Rahman Khan said that fiscal policy acts as an obstacle to investment, if there is no continuity of policy and rule of law, domestic and foreign investment will not come. Even if we have 100 economic zones, investments are not coming there. Frequent policy changes make it difficult for investors to plan. 3 task forces to modernize 3 revenue laws; It will be implemented with the opinion of traders and tax officials.