A bill seeking to set up special courts for trial of children for criminal offences was tabled in parliament Tuesday.
The proposed law, Children Bill-2013, seeks creation of National Children’s Welfare Board to take care of underprivileged children.
Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostofa Shahid proposed the bill to replace the Children Act-1974.
Section 16 of the bill will allow the government to set up at least one children’s court in every district headquarter and metropolitan city.
The bill, if passed into law, will force authorities to separate children from the adult, accused or convicted, in jail. It will ensure that children will be tried only in specialised courts for any offence committed.
The bill will make children eligible for bail in any charge brought against them under any section of penal code.
It will also debar the media from making public any photograph or description revealing the identity of underage offenders.
The bill has been sent to the parliamentary standing committee on social welfare ministry for further scrutiny.
Vested Property Return bill passed
BSS reports, the Jatiya Sangsad Tuesday passed the Vested Property Return (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira moved the bill seeking comprehensive changes to the Vested Property Return Act, 2001.
The changes are believed to remove various obstacles in disposal of cases relating to return of the vested properties.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Adv. Md. Shahjahan Mia moved the Waqfs (Amendment) Bill, 2013 to make Waqf administration more effective by bringing changes to the Waqfs Ordinance, 1962.
According to the bill, Waqf estates would be registered in the names of estates concerned instead of 'Mutawallis' as the estates go to their inheritors after their death.
The bill also gives limited executive magistracy powers to the Waqf administration and limited scope in running mobile courts to ensure a proper maintenance of the estates and prevent encroachment.
However, no Waqf estate would be transferable or registered without the consent of the administrator under the law.
Besides, Environment and Forests Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud introduced the "Bangladesh Rubber Board Bill, 2013" with a view to constituting a rubber board to ensure overall development of rubber industry.
