Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan confirms total revenue collection has reached Tk 3.60 trillion; officials return to work as protests called off amid government pressure

Dhaka, June 30 —
Despite ongoing protests and a complete shutdown movement within the National Board of Revenue (NBR), revenue collection remained strong, with Tk 7,922 crore collected over the past four days. NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan confirmed on Monday morning that total revenue collection has reached Tk 3,60,922 crore as of 10:00 AM.

Speaking to journalists at the NBR headquarters, the chairman acknowledged the disruption caused by the protest but expressed confidence that final figures would show an increase over last year. He added that although the collection had faced some setbacks due to the recent turmoil, a significant amount is still expected to be deposited by the end of June, which marks the closing of the fiscal year.

"Compared to last year, we’re still on track for higher revenue collection," Khan said. "However, we did stumble a bit in recent days due to the disruption. The revenue deposited today will be reflected in tomorrow’s report. In addition, adjustments for government project taxes and VAT bills may take a couple of weeks to finalize."

As of last Thursday, revenue collection stood at Tk 3,53,000 crore. The collection of Tk 7,922 crore over the next four days marks a steady inflow despite the backdrop of institutional unrest.

The NBR Reform Unity Council, which had launched a shutdown and “March to NBR” protest demanding the chairman’s removal, officially suspended their movement on Sunday night following firm government intervention. With the protest halted, Monday marked the chairman’s first public appearance since the demonstrations began.

Khan emphasized the systematization of revenue reporting through the Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS), eliminating the need for manual reports. “Today is the last day of the fiscal year. All departments and banks are open. Our officers are aware of key taxpayers and are working accordingly,” he added.

He also noted that while the protest had temporarily disrupted economic activity and tax collection, the return of officers to their duties has restored a sense of normalcy. Customs houses, VAT offices, and income tax departments resumed full operations by Sunday afternoon, contributing to a sense of relief among businesses and policymakers.

Khan predicted that a substantial amount of revenue would be collected on the final day of the fiscal year and anticipated continued collection momentum into July. “July is a critical month for government spending. We will continue our efforts with full drive to meet treasury needs,” he said.

Addressing the NBR workforce, the chairman urged unity and dedication, stating, “Whatever happened in the past, let’s move forward in the interest of the nation. I trust our officers will serve with the same integrity and skill they have always shown.”

He also acknowledged the growing work activity across all NBR divisions, particularly customs houses and bonded warehouses. “Since yesterday afternoon, all units have been fully operational. Today’s target is to bring all remaining pipeline revenue into the treasury,” he said.

The Reform Unity Council, which had paralyzed operations in recent weeks, formally announced the suspension of their movement during a press conference held at the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) office in Tejgaon on Sunday at 9:30 PM. Leaders of the council cited national economic interest and pressure from higher authorities as reasons for ending the strike.

Though the protests have now been paused, the underlying tensions within the NBR remain. However, with tax officers returning to their posts and the chairman reiterating a commitment to efficiency and national service, the agency appears to be refocusing on its fiscal responsibilities at this crucial juncture.

As the fiscal year ends and new budgetary targets begin, all eyes are on the NBR’s final figures, which will be crucial for funding government programs, especially amid economic recovery efforts and development priorities.