Parliament passes Christian Religious Welfare Trust Bill

The Christian Religious Welfare Trust Bill, 2018, was passed in Parliament on Tuesday, amending the Christian Religious Welfare Trust Ordinance, 1983, to establish a peaceful society, maintaining communal harmony, and to ensure welfare of the Christian community living in the country. Railways Minister Mazibul Hoque, in absence of Religious Affairs Minister Matior Rahman, moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote. The effectiveness of the ordinance became obsolete with declaration of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1986, illegal. According to the bill, there will be a trustee board consisting of 12 members where the Religious Affairs Minister will be the board chairman. The headquarters of the board will be in Dhaka.