The Cabinet on Thursday approved in principle the draft of the Drugs Act, 2022 with harsher punishment for drugs related anomalies and offenses.

Under the draft law, the punishment for such crimes will be  maximum 10-year jail with fine of Tk 10 lakh from maximum three-year jail  with fine of Tk two lakh fine in the existing law.

The approval came from the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who joined it through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban.

Other cabinet members were connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.

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Briefing reporters, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the highest punishment of 10-year imprisonment, Tk 10 lakh penalty or both was kept in several sections of the draft law.

The offenses, for which the maximum punishment of 10-year jail and Tk 10 lakh fine were kept in the draft law, include producing or importing drugs without licenses; producing, importing, exporting, marketing, stocking, selling or showcasing drugs without registration; producing, selling, stocking or marketing adulterated drugs; and stealing and selling government’s drugs.

Besides, the meeting gave the final endorsement to the draft of the State Acquisition and Tenancy (Amendment) Act, 2022 bringing a minor change in the existing law ease case backlog.

There is a provision for a tribunal in the law. In the district level, assistant judge or senior assistance judge can be given the authority to settle the cases, while the district judge can act as the appeal authority until the formal tribunal is formed as per the draft law, he said adding that this minor amendment was brought.

The Cabinet approved in principle the draft of the National Industry Policy, 2022 with a view to accelerating the economic progress of Bangladesh through industrialization with the balanced use of local raw materials and resources alongside cashing the facilities of the 4th industrial revolution.

The meeting cleared the proposal for ratification of two agreements to be signed with Saudi Arabia and Serbia.

The deeds are the agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, and the agreement between Bangladesh and Serbia over Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders.