United News of Bangladesh

The Council of Advisers at a meeting on Thursday approved several key decisions, including amendments to the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters about the decisions at the Foreign Service Academy. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday said the government has prepared the draft of the amendment to Women and Children Repression Prevention Act reducing the trial and investigation time of the rape case by half. Referring to the government step, Asif said, “We held consultation meetings with all concerned on Monday and Tuesday. I have made a draft of (Amendment to Women and Children Repression Prevention Act) and today we are circulating it to some stakeholders. We will try to ensure strict implementation of the law as soon as possible. I have told them that the trial of rape cases should not only be speedy, but justice should be ensured and fair.” Consensus Commission starts dialogue with political parties As per the draft, the investigation period for rape cases is being reduced from 30 days to 15 days and the time for completing the trial is being reduced from 180 days to 90 days, he said. The Council of Advisors also approved amendments to Public Procurement Ordinance to enhance transparency and competition in government procurement and dismantle syndicates. The provision that required rejecting tender proposals below 10% of the estimated cost has been removed. Besides, the previous evaluation matrix, which often resulted in the same companies repeatedly securing contracts, will be replaced with a new capacity-based evaluation system. Currently, 65% of tenders are processed online, and the Council of Advisers has decided to increase it to 100%. Securing new economic partnerships, sustaining growth trajectory top priorities: FS The council also approved amendment to the law related to abandoned property management. Besides, the government has declared an additional holiday on April 3 for Eid to facilitate public convenience. An optional leave policy has also been introduced for indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts to observe their cultural and social events. Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present.  

Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the government has decided to recruit 2,000 more doctors to enhance healthcare access to the grassroots level. “The recruitment process for 3,493 doctors through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently underway. In addition, we have decided to hire 2,000 more doctors to address the healthcare needs in rural areas,” she said during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. During the meeting, the Council of Advisers also decided to rename two institutions: the Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellowship Trust and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theatre. The briefing was held following a Council of Advisers meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present at the press briefing. Adviser Rizwana emphasised the government's commitment to addressing the healthcare gap in rural areas, noting that rural populations are underserved in terms of medical care. “The main goal of today's decision is to ensure that healthcare services and doctors are more accessible at the grassroots level.” Aramco to supply LNG to Bangladesh at lower prices: Rizwana  In addition to this, the Council of Advisers reviewed the progress of its decisions, revealing that out of 135 decisions made, 92 (or approximately 68%) have already been implemented. The council also agreed to set global standards for the regulation of saturated fat content in food products. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has revoked its decision to allocate a five percent quota in government secondary schools for family members of those injured or killed during the July Uprising, and has instead instructed that one extra seat per class be reserved for such students. Referring to the matter, Adviser Rizwana said this facility will be a one-time facility for the admission of family members of those injured and martyred in the July Uprising 2024 to schools. “It is being considered as part of the one-time assistance being provided to the affected families. It is in no way comparable to a quota,” she said.

The Council of Advisers of the interim government is set to be expanded today (Sunday), with new members expected to take oath later in the evening. "Yes, it's getting expanded. But I can't tell you the number at this moment," a senior official of the interim government told UNB. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban in the presence of senior government officials and dignitaries. Cabinet Division sources said five vehicles have been kept ready for the new advisers. Md Abul Hasnat Humayun Kabir, Transport Commissioner (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Government Transport, said they were instructed to prepare vehicles for new advisers. “We have prepared five vehicles.” The vehicles will be sent to the advisers' homes to pick them up, and then they will be brought to Bangabhaban for the oath-taking ceremony. The current interim government, headed by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, has 20 advisers. Army Chief meets CA Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus earlier in the day at his Tejgaon office. Details of the meeting were not disclosed. In the face of student-led mass uprising, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5. Subsequently, parliament was dissolved and an interim government, led by Prof Yunus, was formed. So far, 20 advisers took oath of office in three phases.