The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has directed the circles to conduct grassroots operations against illegal cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products. In the order issued on February 7, a committee was formed with the members of the law enforcement agencies led by more than 200 circle revenue officers nationwide.
About 20 percent of the VAT collected by the National Board of Revenue comes from cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products. Domestic and foreign cigarettes of different brands are being sold in the country at illegal cigarettes, gulls, jordans and homogeneous tobacco. In addition to the loss of public health, the reputation of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is being damaged. The government is losing huge amounts of revenue. Therefore, NBR is conducting campaigns against illegal tobacco products. A committee was formed on February 7, convening the concerned revenue officer at the circle level under all the Commissioners to conduct regular operations against illegal tobacco products. The six -member committee also has a representative of the product production company.
In January of this year, 12 raids took place. The VAT Commissionerate Dhaka (West) 2, Rajshahi 1, Dhaka (East) 1, Comilla 2, Rangpur 3 operations. On the other hand, from 1 to 8 February 2021, there were 5 expeditions on 7 days. The number of expeditions is increasing every day. From 1 to 8 February 2021, the total operation was 5. On February 7, the expedition took place. On February 7, all the commissioners conducted a total of 5 operations across the country. Among them, VAT Commissionerate Dhaka (South) 1, Dhaka (North) 1, Dhaka (West) 1, Chittagong 12, Rajshahi 12 and Comilla 1 were conducted.
As a result of these operations, illegal cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products have been reduced in the market. As a result, the demand for valid products of VAT is being created. If this activity continues, the National Board of Revenue believes that the target will be achieved in this sector. A large number of illegal cigarettes, bidi and tobacco products were seized in the operations. The National Board of Revenue is seeking the cooperation of all the stakeholders associated with citizens, civil society, secret informant, social and electronic, print and online.
