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BSS-25
CABINET-BRIEFING-LAWS
Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection) Act, 2019 gets cabinet nod
DHAKA, June 24, 2019 (BSS) – The cabinet today gave final approval to
draft of The Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection) Act, 2019 with a provision
for the vessels to carry 50 percent cargos from the existing 40 percent
in a meeting held at the PMO with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
“Drafts of two laws, The Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection) Act, 2019 and
The Bangladesh Krira Shikhya Protishthan Ain, 2019 have got final approval of
the cabinet,” Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told a press briefing
held at the secretariat here this afternoon.
It also gave final approval to Antarjatik Matribhasha Padak Nitimala, 2019
(International Mother Language Medal Policy, 2019), he said.
“Three changes have been made in The Bangladesh Flag Vessel (Protection)
Act, 2019 with provisions for the vessels to carry 50 percent cargos from the
existing 40 percent; fixing 30 days for making an appeal by an aggrieved
person and Taka 5 lakh as the highest administrative punishment in case of
floating the law,” he said.
The vessels registered with Bangladesh are called Bangladesh flag vessels,
he continued.
Alam added that the government has turned the ordinance of 1982 into an
act following an order of the Supreme Court.
“Some changes was also brought in the Bangladesh Krira Shikhya Protishthan
Ain, 2019 with provision to increase the number of members from four to one-
third (out of 20) to make the quorum for holding a board meeting (of the
BKSP),” he said.
There are also provisions of holding the board meeting within six months
and fixing three years tenure for the elected board members, he continued.
Whereas, the Antarjatik Matribhasha Padak Nitimala, 2019 (International
Mother Language Medal Policy,2019) with provision of giving it in every two-
year ahead of the Ekushey February in the national and international levels,
was also approved by the cabinet, said Alam.
A total of Taka 4 lakh has been fixed as prize money for national level
and $5,000 for international level, he said, adding that there was a plan to
increase the prize money of the Ekushey Padak.
The Antarjatik Matribhasha Padak will be given for contributions to
preserve and flourish various mother languages across the globe, he added.
The cabinet today congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Bangladesh
has become the fastest GDP growth achieving country among the 45 countries in
the Asia-Pacific, the cabinet secretary said.
The cabinet was informed of the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to
Japan from May 28 to May 30, he said, adding that Japan gave Bangladesh an
assurance to stand beside Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue and a decision was
taken to jointly observe 50 years of diplomatic relations between the
countries.
It was also informed of the Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia from May
31 to June 3 where she attended the 14th OIC Conference and gave speech on
behalf of the Asia Group.
Remarks on TIB report
Replying to a query, the cabinet secretary dismissed a Transparency
International Bangladesh (TIB) report that claimed promotions are being given
to senior government officials on the basis of political consideration.
“I have not yet seen the TIB report. Like you (journalists), I knew the
thing that came in the news. But, the matter is not exactly the same as
stated by the TIB in a wholesale manner,” he said.
On Train Accident
On the rescue operation after yesterday’s train accident, he said, “Our
rescue operation is going on involving all the agencies including RAB, BGB
and fire brigade. According to the official report till this moment as many
as four bodies were recovered and there might be more bodies under the
debris.”
He also said, “The train collapsed as it was overloaded. There was no space
in it where people didn’t board on.”
The railways minister assured the cabinet of resuming the operation of
train services on Dhaka-Sylhet route within 24 hours, he said.
BSS/AHJ/ARS/1811 hrs