In 2023-25 tenure of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), several prospective candidates, including Abul Kasem Khan and Hasina Newaaz, have been confirmed as non-tax defaulters by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
The NBR recently issued a correction letter to the apex trade body on Wednesday to provide this assurance.
On July 10, the FBCCI took the decision to revoke the nominations submitted by 32 prominent businesses for the upcoming election due to loan and tax default. Nevertheless, the final determination regarding the eligibility of two other candidates has been postponed until further clarification is obtained from the NBR.
According to the NBR letter, the organization sent it to FBCCI regarding the updated tax payer’s information of the Director candidate for the upcoming election of FBCCI 2023-2025.
The letter also stated that the potential Director candidate of FBCCI election, Abul Kasem Khan, is not a tax defaulter. Abul Kasem Khan is a regular tax payer of the Large Tax Payers’ Unit (LTU).
However, Abul Kasem Khan, also former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), was awarded as the best tax payer in FY2013-14. He is Director Candidate for the upcoming FBCCI election 2023-2025 nominated from DCCI.
Hasina Newaaz is, incumbent director of FBCCI, contesting director candidate from chamber group. Her nomination was also rejected by FBCCI election board on July 10 as the board had received a letter from NBR that she was tax defaulter. Now NBR served another letter that she is not tax defaulter.
Meanwhile, Sayed Sadat Almas Kabir, also incumbent director of FBCCI, was also rejected by FBCCI election board due to tax defaulter. He told the Business Post that some candidates’ nominations were withheld, not cancelled by the election board. “However, the issue regarding my nomination has already been resolved,” he said, expressing the hope that others’ issues would also be resolved.
“I have confidence in the election board. The election will be free and fair,” he added.
Talking to The Business Post, the Board chairman A Matin Chowdhury said the candidacies were not accepted as per the letter received from Bangladesh Bank dated July 7, and another letter received from the NBR dated July 10 this year. The board took the decision after due scrutiny.
“However, if someone can clarify about their loan and tax default, the FBCCI appeal board will finalize the list on July 14. Then, we can announce the real candidate names on July 15. And, the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers is July 18,” he added.
Matin Chowdhury also said that the election will be held due time on July 31.
Hearing and disposal of appeals against the cancellation of nominations for the post of directors will be held by the Election Appeal Board between July 12 and 14, according to the election schedule notice of FBCCI.
