Cabinet clears draft drug law keeping maximum 10-yr jail for irregularities

Rtv news

11 Aug 2022, 17:28

Photo: Collected

The cabinet today (Thursday) approved in principle the draft of the Drugs Act, 2022 intensifying the punishment for several anomalies and offenses to the maximum 10-year jail and Taka 10 lakh penalty.

Follow Rtv Online English on Google news

The approval was given at the regular cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and held at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, while her cabinet colleagues were present at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division.

Briefing the reporters after the meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the highest punishment of 10-year imprisonment, Taka 10 lakh penalty or both were kept in several sections of the draft law for the drug related anomalies and offenses.

In the existing law, there is a maximum three-year jail and Taka two lakh fine for the irregularities.

The offenses, for which the maximum punishment of 10-year jail and Taka 10 lakh fine were kept in the draft law, include producing or importing drugs without licenses; producing, importing, exporting, marketing, stocking, selling or showcasing drugs without registration; producing, selling, stocking or marketing adulterated drugs; as well as stealing and selling government's drugs.

Besides, the meeting gave the final endorsement to the draft of the State Acquisition and Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 2022 bringing a minor change in the existing law to reduce the pending cases.

There is a provision for a tribunal in the law. At the district level, assistant judges or senior assistance judges can be given the authority to try the cases, while the district judges can act as the appeal authority until the formal tribunal is formed as per the draft law, said the cabinet secretary, adding that this minor amendment was brought.

The cabinet also approved in principle the draft of the National Industry Policy, 2022 with a view to accelerating the economic progress of Bangladesh through industrialization with the balanced use of local raw materials and resources alongside cashing the facilities of the 4th industrial revolution.

In addition, the meeting cleared the proposal for ratification of two agreements to be signed with Saudi Arabia and Serbia. The deeds are the agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, while the agreement between Bangladesh and Serbia over visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Source: BSS

Comments

Most Viewed News Of Bangladesh

Prices of diesel, kerosene cut by Tk 2.25 per litre

The government has reduced the price of diesel and kerosene by Tk 2.25 per liter in line wwith the automated price formula. According to the new price, diesel and kerosene will be sold at Tk 106 per liter. The new prices will be effective from April 1. However, the prices of octane and petrol are the same as before. Accordingly, octane will be sold at Tk 126 per liter and petrol at Tk 122 per liter. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources issued a gazette notification in this regard on Sunday (March 31). The price has been fixed in the light of the automatic pricing guidelines of petroleum fuel across the country. Earlier, On February 29, the government issued a gazette notification over “Fuel Pricing Guidelines”. Later, on March 7, the notification of adjusting the price of fuel oil was published according to the first pricing formula.

Intelligence agencies working to strengthen security: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said police and intelligence agencies are working to strengthen security across the country ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. He said this after a meeting for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr at the Home Ministry conference room at the Secretariat on Monday (April 1). The minister said all measures will be taken to maintain law and order across the country during Eid-ul-Fitr. Police and intelligence agencies will be deployed alongside uniformed police to prevent theft, robbery, hijacking, extortion and terrorist activities. He said police patrols will be in all important places, big cities and ports, including the diplomatic areas of the capital. Besides, special measures will be taken to maintain law and order on waterways.

Court accepts charge sheet against Dr Yunus, 13 others

A Dhaka court accepted the charge-sheet filed in a case against against Dr Yunus, 13 others for allegedly embezzling Tk 25 crore from the company. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain passed the order today (April 2) for further proceedings the case was sent to Dhaka Special Judge Court-4. The court fixed May 2 for the next hearing of the case. Grameen Telecom director, Md Shahjahan, one of the accused who failed to appear before the court on this day, the court canceled his bail and issued an arrest warrant. Earlier, Dr. Yunus and other accused appeared in the court around 1:45 pm. On May 30 last year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against 13 people, including Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, for embezzling Tk 25.22 crore from Grameen Telecom's workers' welfare fund. Gulshan Anowar Pradhan, Deputy Director of Anti- Corruption Commission filed the case. On February 1, ACC Deputy Director Gulshan Anwar Prodhan, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against 14 people, including Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

DMP to provide special security in Dhaka ahead of Eid

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, Md Habibur Rahman has said there is no threat to the upcoming Eid ul-Fitr. Besides, special security measures have been taken for 24 hours in Dhaka during the Eid holidays. He said this at a press conference after visiting the Eid market at Bashundhara Shopping Complex in the capital on Tuesday noon (April 2). DMP commissioner said, "There is no threat centering the Eid festival. As The capital becomes empty during the long Eid holidays. Security has been arranged keeping this in mind in the security plan." He said about 1.5 crore people will go out of Dhaka during the Eid holidays. At this time Dhaka city remains empty. So we would advise the city dwellers to be aware of their valuables and be aware. Special security measures have been taken by the police for 24 hours ahead of Eid.

Gold prices hitting record high, breaks all records

Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (Bajus) has fixed the new price of gold. The price of 22-carat gold has been increased by Tk 1,750 to Tk 1,15,824 per bhori, according to a notification issued by Bangladesh Jeweller's Association (BAJUS) on Saturday. Besides, the price of 21 carat gold has been fixed at Tk 1,10,575, 18 carat gold at Tk 94,770. Although the price of gold has increased, the price of silver has been kept unchanged. According to the notification, the price of gold has increased in the local market. Considering the overall situation, BAJUS has fixed the new price of gold. The new prices will be effective from Sunday (April 7).

RAB arrests chief coordinator of KNF

Cheosim Bawm, the local chief coordinator of the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), was arrested in a special operation in Bandarban. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested him on Sunday (April 7) afternoon. RAB-15 Commander Lt Col HM Sajjad confirmed the matter. HM Sajjad said that Cheosim, son of the deceased Rowal Bom. He has a close relation with Nathan Bawm. We are interrogating him. Besides, the operation is also going on. It is hoped that the location and plans of others will be known. Earlier on Tuesday night, a armed group of Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) attacked Sonali Bank in Bandarban's Ruma and looted cash including 14 weapons.

Eid shopping reaches its peak

The last time shopping is going on everywhere ahead of Eid ul-Fitr. People are buying clothes, shoes, cosmetics, ornaments and other necessities for their loved ones. On Sunday (April 7), Shoppers are in a rush to shopping malls, centres and roadside shops in the capital's New Market, Bashundhara City, Aarong and Jamuna Future Park in the capital as Eid shopping gets its peak. People of all classes are buying the necessary items as per their choice. But there are also allegations of overcharging. As Most of the people will leave the capital for village homes ahead of Eid ul-Fitr, so shoppers are in rush to finish Eid shopping. Traders said that although there is Eid shopping throughout the month, at the last moment, there is a huge crowd every time. As time goes on, sales are increasing. Hopefully, this will continue to be a great sale till the day before Eid. The last time shopping is going on everywhere. People are buying clothes, shoes, cosmetics, ornaments and other necessities for their loved ones.

Cabinet clears draft drug law keeping maximum 10-yr jail for irregularities

Prices of diesel, kerosene cut by Tk 2.25 per litre

Intelligence agencies working to strengthen security: Home Minister

Court accepts charge sheet against Dr Yunus, 13 others

DMP to provide special security in Dhaka ahead of Eid

Gold prices hitting record high, breaks all records

RAB arrests chief coordinator of KNF

Eid shopping reaches its peak

EU elections: What have lawmakers achieved since 2019?

Lawmakers urge Biden to call out more Chinese biotech firms

Florida passes law restricting teen social media access

EU probes Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law