The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has moved to freeze Tk950 crore owed to United Group, one of Bangladesh’s largest private power producers, over alleged tax evasion by its 200MW HFO-based United Mymensingh Power Plant.
NBR said the sum represents unpaid taxes. In a letter dated August 31, 2025, Deputy Commissioner Md Ibrahim Khalil requested the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to withhold the amount from payments due to the plant, citing Section 223(1) of the Income Tax Act 2023.
The move came after a review of an earlier freeze order that BPDB had sought to delay, citing the need to maintain electricity supply in Mymensingh.
On July 23, 2025, NBR issued a letter instructing BPDB to freeze payments to the company, but BPDB deferred enforcement due to peak summer demand.
According to BPDB sources, the board still owes United Group around Tk2,600 crore for electricity purchases from four of its plants, including the Mymensingh facility.
BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim confirmed receiving the NBR letter but declined to comment further pending verification.
United Group, which has a total generation capacity of about 765MW, rejected the allegations. Company representative Shamim Miah told Just Energy News that the firm regularly files tax returns and that the Mymensingh plant enjoys a 15-year tax holiday.
The plant has been running far below capacity in recent months, generating only 38MW–55MW against its installed 200MW.
Energy expert Prof. Izaj Hossain told Just Energy News: “If the plant has dodged income tax, then NBR’s move is justified.”