The cabinet on Monday approved the draft of Bangladesh Council of Science and Industry Research (BCSIR) Act 2013, extending the retirement age of scientists at the institute to 67-years-old from 59-years-old with a view to get eight additional years of their service.
The approval came from the regular cabinet meeting held at the secretariat, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The meeting also approved drafts of the Bangladesh Handloom Board Act 2013 and the National Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Policy 2013.
After the cabinet meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the drafts of BCSIR Act and Handloom Board Act had been placed at the cabinet meeting in accordance with the cabinet’s instructions, as those had been originally enacted during the tenure of the military government.
According to an order of the High Court, the acts became non-functional when the court declared the tenure of the two military governments illegal, as were all acts and ordinances issued during those tenures, he said.
Mosharraf said: “The cabinet made a decision to review some of the most important acts and ordinances for turning into laws, and it had also ordered the ministry concerned to prepare a draft in this regard and place it before the cabinet.”
Regarding the BCSIR Act, Mosharraf said thought the draft proposed extending the retirement age to 67, “if authorities of other organisations want to propose anything in this regard, they may submit their proposal. The government will consider the proposal and take necessary steps,” he added.
National Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Policy
The cabinet also approved the draft of the National Integrated Multi-Modal Transport Policy, giving importance to airways, railway and waterways for reducing the dependency on roads only.
The cabinet secretary said the approval had been given to reduce transport costs and accidents, ensure safety, enhance efficiency and make the transport sector environment friendly.
Additionally, new policy, women, senior citizens and physically disabled people would give special facilities while travelling, he said.
Mosharraf said a cabinet committee would be formed to monitor the improvement of the transport sector. A national coordination committee would also be formed to implement the decision. The coordination committee would file reports with the cabinet committee in this regard.
Bangladesh Handloom Board Act
The cabinet secretary said there were no major changes in the draft of the Bangladesh Handloom Board Act. Most of the provisions of the existing act would remain the same.
Mosharraf said: “Only the provision of holding a meeting in every two months was added in the law. But in case of an emergency, the board may call additional emergency meetings during the period.”