The Law Minister on Thursday told Parliament it will cost around Tk 12 lakh to make printed copies of all the previous laws during the process of introducing the 133 ordinances issued by the interim government in the form of bills.

Copies of the Civil Procedure Code or CPC alone will cost about Tk 7 lakh.

Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said this in a point of order after submission of the report of the special committee to review ordinances in Parliament.

The Law Minister said that providing a photocopy of all the previous laws in their entirety along with the Ordinances would cost a huge amount.

Therefore, he said, it has been proposed to view the relevant laws on the Law Ministry's website.

“We are bringing the entire bill, but providing a photocopy of the previous law along with the bill (to all lawmakers) will cost Tk 12 lakh. Here, we have asked to take the previous law from the website.”

He also said they will provide the entire bill. "We will provide it in the way you said for comparative study," he added.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said, "Even if you don't give the entire old law, it will be easier for members of parliament to understand the matter if you give a comparative description of the relevant sections. What was the law before? What amendments do you want to bring? I think giving such a statement will be convenient for members to consider."

Opposition leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman taking the floor said, it will be difficult to compare with the original law if only the amendment proposal is in front.

He said only the proposal has been presented, but they also need to know what the original legislation was.

“If the original bill is not there, then we will not be able to compare the changes being proposed,” he said.

In response, the Speaker said the sections of the law in which the amendments have been brought, along with what are the changes, will be clearly presented to the members. If necessary, it will be explained in parliament.