Mass transfer at tax offices

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has made a massive reshuffle at the field level of its customs and value-added tax (VAT) department, in a bid to clear the backlog of transfers.
The NBR transferred 458 assistant revenue officers (ARO) last week in three separate orders -- the highest in the last two years, according to some officials of the revenue administration.
"Transfer at the field level has been due for awhile, but did not take place for nearly two years. As a result, the number has accumulated," said Hussain Ahmed, an NBR member.
He said the officials should be transferred periodically.
"Unless there are movements, vested interest may grow."
However, insiders alleged that transfers in many cases were uneven or rewarding for a number of AROs because of lobbying or influence from government higher-ups.
For instance, some AROs, who are also known as inspectors, have been transferred from Dhaka Customs House to Chittagong Customs.
According to the transfer orders, some inspectors were transferred from Chittagong Customs to the Internal Container Depot Dhaka or the Dhaka Bond Commissionerate.
When asked, Ahmed said none of the AROs transferred has been kept in the same office.
The NBR has nearly 1,500 inspectors at its VAT and customs' field offices to ensure tax collection and find new areas for revenue.