NBR chief says impartial probe will find graft even in ACC

In response to a recent Anti-Corruption Commission or ACC report on the National Board of Revenue, the board’s chairman has said impartial investigations will dig up graft even in the commission.

Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan has also warned that the ACC “will not succeed in its bid to set up office at the NBR by targeting the income tax and customs departments”.

The former secretary, who had been arrested by the ACC but later acquitted of Padma Bridge graft charges, made the remarks at a media briefing on Sunday about the Income Tax Fair 2018.

The ACC submitted a report to the Cabinet Division last Thursday identifying 13 sources of corruption and 23 recommendations to prevent graft in the NBR’s income tax wing.

“I haven’t received it yet. But I disagree with the ACC on this matter. Because, you will be able to find out how many types of corruption are there in the ACC if you investigate it impartially,” Mosharraf said when asked about the report.

He said the NBR will allow ACC activities in the board only if the tax and customs laws permit.

Mosharraf also disagreed with the ACC observation that the NBR ‘spends a lot for luxury in the income tax fair’.

“Some consider many things necessary while some others will consider these lavish,” he said.