The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem has not submitted any resignation letter to the government, contrary to some claims.
Instead of stepping down after the fall of the Awami League government, the revenue administration chief would continue in his role for another two years, until 2026, according to finance ministry sources.
On Sunday, Mr Muneem, who is also senior secretary to the Internal Resources Division under the Ministry of Finance, attended a meeting with the newly appointed Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.
Officials said the finance advisor directed the NBR chairman to meet the revenue target.
Following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister and the appointment of Chief Adviser Dr Mohammad Yunus, some current and former tax, VAT and Customs officials and staff have accused Mr Muneem of tax-related harassment of Dr Yunus.
However, the tax cases involving Dr Yunus were initiated not during Mr Muneem's tenure. Those were initiated in 2011 after the Sheikh Hasina-led government took power in 2009.
A senior tax official at the NBR said some staff and retired officials who felt deprived of certain benefits launched the agitation, seeking the resignation of Mr Muneem.
He added that most cadre officials in Income Tax, Customs and VAT are not in favour of terminating the NBR chairman.
"We have found the NBR chairman served with honesty and integrity in his two terms, each with two years," said a senior VAT official.
Mr Muneem had attempted to curb corrupt practices in the tax and customs wings and their field offices, which angered some vested interests, the official commented.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an income tax member said Mr Muneem never yielded to any undue demands of the previous government and allowed the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) to operate independently.
Mr Muneem also prevented vested interests from taking bribes in appointments and promotions, he added.
Some staff who worked closely with Mr Muneem also praised his honesty and integrity, despite acknowledging his sometimes rude demeanour with the public.
In 2011, the NBR launched scrutiny of the tax affairs of Nobel laureate Dr Mohammad Yunus following instructions from the Sheikh Hasina government.
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