January 24, 2020
File photo (Collected)The National Board of Revenue, or NBR, will take stern action against its “greedy” officials, its chief warned on Thursday.
Newly-appointed NBR chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem said since the government has provided many benefits to public servants, they should not resort to corruption.
“I’ll take punitive action against excessively greedy officials,” he said.
He, however, mocked the term ‘zero tolerance’, saying it has become meaningless as it is used to draw attention.
His strongly-worded message came as he spoke to reporters on the occasion of ‘International Customs Day-2020’ at the NBR premises.
He laid emphasis on bringing transparency in the NBR.
He promised to make revenue collection hassle-free through all-out efforts.
But Mr Muneem said the ongoing drive to offset the existing revenue shortfall will continue.
“We will make an action plan to face the challenges of revenue collection,” he said.
He expressed optimism over achieving the revenue collection target.
Still, he said the board will focus on expanding the tax net in an attempt to slash taxation burden on individuals
On customs revenue, he said the dependency on customs revenue should be reduced gradually.
The NBR boss defended tax exemption, saying it has been offered to facilitate industrial growth and investment.The board will observe the international customs day on Sunday.
The theme of the day is “Customs Fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet.”
On the occasion of the day, the NBR will arrange rallies, seminars and opinion exchange meetings while handing over the World Customs Organisation Certificate of Merit 2020.
Finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will attend the seminar as the chief guest.
Some 183 member countries of the global body will observe the day.
