The Cabinet on Thursday refused to approve three important acts and proposals returning them to the ministries concerned for further revision.
The acts returned are -- the “Textile and Garments Industries Board Act,” Amending the existing the Building Construction Act, 2008 and formation of interim building construction committee and “Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Act.”
The acts and proposals were tabled before the cabinet meeting on Thursday for approval, but the meeting has sent those back to the ministries concerned for further revision with some observations, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting.
The cabinet meeting was held at the secretariat on Thursday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
“Textile and Garments Industries Board Act”
Cabinet secretary said the ministry of jute and textile placed the proposed draft of the “Textile and Garments Industries Board Act” before the cabinet.
“Though the cabinet agreed with the ministry to monitor activities of garments and textile industries in a coordinated system, they refused to approve it. They decided to return the act for further update and revise it,” he added.
The draft had also been placed before the cabinet earlier, but it was not approved, he said.
He also said the cabinet has instructed the ministry to examine the issue of forming a separate board to monitor the activities of garments and textiles industries as there are only a few cabinet bodies to take care of that specific sector.
The Inspectorate of Labour is working in this regard. It might be strengthened to accelerate its activities. The cabinet asked the ministry to examine the issue once again to confirm whether it’s really necessary to form a separate board in this regard, he said.
A minister who attended the meeting said the finance minister and textile minister engaged in a debate and hot talk regarding the approval of the textile and garments industry board.
The finance minister directly opposed and insisted the cabinet not to approve the proposal. But, the textile minister strongly urged the cabinet to pass it saying, “We don’t understand English, but understand the voice of the people and earth. So, it should be approved to protect the right of the industry.”
Later, all the members of the cabinet took a stance on behalf of the finance minister and the proposal did not receive approval. The prime minister tackled the debate changing the agenda immediately.
Amending the existing the Building Construction Act, 2008
The state minister for housing and public works placed the proposal of amending the existing Building Construction Act, 2008 and formation of interim building construction committee to seize the authority of local government institutes out of three government authorities Rajuk, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), and Khulna Development Authority (KDA) for approving designs and plans for the construction of buildings in rural areas and district towns throughout the country.
But the cabinet opposed the proposal to seize the total power of the local government institutes like city corporations, municipalities and union parishads. They should have the authority to approve some less important constructions.
However, the extent to which their authority works should be decided.
The cabinet agreed to form an interim building construction committee for approving the designs and plans for constructing important and high rise buildings in those areas, the cabinet secretary said.
The draft proposal has been returned to the ministry and instructed to place before the cabinet setting the authority of the local government institutes.
“Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Act”
The draft proposal of “Bangladesh Higher Education Commission Act” has also been returned to the education ministry for further analysis and improvement according to the laws of neighbouring countries.
The draft act was prepared changing the name of University Grants Commission and amending some provisions of the law, he said.
