20 NBR officials get Presidential clemency 

President has cancelled the punishments imposed on 20 National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials for their involvement in protests against reforms at the revenue authority during Interim Government last year.

The officials had appealed for clemency against the departmental penalties. The President accepted their appeals and ordered the cancellation of the punishments, according to separate notifications issued by the Internal Resources Division (IRD).

The officials were punished after taking part in protests by NBR employees in June 2025 against reforms in the country's revenue system.

During the protests, some of the officials were transferred to different places. A few of them publicly tore up their transfer orders, while others played organising roles in the movement. Some also joined the protests after suspending work at their respective offices.

Departmental investigations were launched against the officials for allegedly violating Rule 30A of the Government Servants' Conduct Rules, 1979, and relevant provisions of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.

The investigations found the allegations proved. The officials were then given different punishments, including suspension for different periods and demotion in pay grades.

According to the IRD notifications, the officials later filed appeals seeking clemency against the departmental punishments. After reviewing their applications, the President accepted the appeals and ordered that the penalties be cancelled.

The NBR employees' movement began after the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance was issued on 12 May 2025.

The protest continued for around one and a half months and intensified towards the end of June.

At the end of the financial year, NBR officials and employees went on work stoppage at customs and tax offices across the country. Revenue collection activities were disrupted for several days, including at the NBR headquarters in Dhaka.