The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Liberation War Affairs Ministry on Sunday recommended forming a five-member committee at the upazila level to rename the roads, culverts or bridges and social organisations in the name of freedom fighters. The recommendation came from the 36th meeting of the parliamentary body, held at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban with its chairman Shajahan Khan in the chair. Sheikh Russel Rural Development Academy in Rangpur nodded in JS The committee also held an elaborate discussion on the Swadhinata Stambha (Independence Monument, third phase) project at the Suhrawardy Uddyan, the final report of the no 11 sub-committee and decisions taken during the 35th meeting of the committee. An illustrated presentation on the development activities of Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust was displayed during the meeting. Industry Design Bill passed in JS to protect intellectual property rights  The meeting also suggested taking steps for changing the design of the gravestones of the freedom fighters across the country. Committee members Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam, AB Tajul Islam and Kazi Firoz Rashid were present at the meeting. IAB demands next JS election under ‘national govt’

A parliamentary standing committee on Tuesday recommended the government for allocating 10 acres of land in Purbachal as Dhaka University showed reluctance to receive the 52-acre site there on the outskirts of Dhaka city for its 2nd campus. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Cultural Affairs Ministry, in its 29th meeting, made the suggestion for allocating the land against the ministry from the proposed DU 2nd campus site in Purbachal. The meeting was held in the Parliament Bhaban with its chairperson Simeen Hussain (Rimi) in the chair, said a press release. The parliamentary body also asked the ministry to send a synopsis to the Prime Minister for allocating the 10 acres of land against the Cultural Affairs Ministry. The committee recommended the ministry to undertake a project to nominate experienced persons or institutions for translation of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's immortal literary collection “Nazrul Rachnabali” from English language into various languages. The committee suggested the cultural affairs ministry to open Shilpakala academy in every upazilas and arrange weeklong district-level open cultural competitions in December. The parliamentary panel reviewed the implementation progress of its decisions taken in the previous meetings. Committee members state minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid and Kazi Keramat Ali attended the meeting.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Health and Family Planning has recommended quick construction of a vaccine manufacturing and research plant in Gopalganj. The recommendation was made at the committee’s 16th meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Thursday. Besides, the committee discussed on the “National Diarrhoea Research Center Bangladesh Bill 2022” for making it time-befitting through corrections and additions. The committee suggested for engaging teachers of government and private medical colleges in various medical research projects.   Read: JS body recommends raising ETP capacity to 20,000 kiloliter at tannery estate The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, chairman of the committee. Secretary and Additional Secretaries of the Health Ministry, Director Generals of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) along with other members of the committee were present at the meeting. 

A parliamentary watchdog has recommended taking necessary steps to stop plying of already declared illegal battery-run three wheelers on the highways under the eight divisions to ensure road safety. The recommendation came on Monday at 15th meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Road Transport and Bridges ministry at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with its chairman Rowshan Ara Mannan MP, in the chair. The committee also asked the ministry to take the steps with the coordination of divisional commissioners, deputy inspector generals and additional inspector generals of police (Highway) based in the eight divisions. The meeting also held an elaborate discussion on the latest activities and progress on the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project connecting Gazipur with the capital city. Expressing dissatisfaction over the printing of smart driving license and its distribution, the committee also asked the authorities concerned to inform about the distribution process soon. Read: Expedite work on Sheikh Hasina Nakshipalli Jamalpur project: JS body It also recommended necessary steps about training for newly appointed employees of Roads and Highways Department.   Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and other committee members including Enamul Hoque, Abu Zahir, Rezwan Ahmed Toufique, Salim Uddin and Sheikh Salahuddin were present.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Liberation War Affairs Ministry on Monday recommended the government to review the provision of rations to the valiant Freedom Fighters of the country.It also recommended to send urgent letters along with necessary directions through virtual meetings to all district hospitals and 22 specialised hospitals aiming to ensure medicare facilities to the Freedom Fighters.These decisions were taken at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee on Ministry of Liberation War Affairs of the 11th National Parliament held at Sangsad Bhaban with Shajahan Khan in the chair.It recommended the Ministry to take necessary measures through discussions with Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) regarding further reduction of service charge from 8 percent on loans given to the freedom fighters .The meeting recommended necessary amendments to the draft booklet containing various benefits provided to freedom fighters and their families.It also recommended that in every district and upazila of the country, while acquiring land for the construction of Muktijoddha complex buildings priority should be given to the urban area in terms of site selection.In the meeting, the progress of the implementation of the decisions taken in the 27th meeting, the progress of the publication and distribution of the smart card of the freedom fighters, digital certificates and booklets containing various benefits were discussed.It also discussed the statement of income and expenditure of the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust of the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the latest progress of publishing the list of the freedom fighters. The report of Sub-Committee No. 8 formed by the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs was discussed in detail.Committee members Minister of Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque, Major (Retd) Rafiqul Islam, AB Tajul Islam, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Moshalem Uddin Ahmad was present in the meeting.Additional Secretary of Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, Director General of National Freedom Fighters Council, heads of various organizations and relevant officials of Ministry and National Parliament Secretariat were present in the meeting.

The parliamentary standing committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry on Sunday got additional 45 working days to submit its report on Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Bill, 2022. The Bill was placed in Parliament to expedite exploration of oil, gas and mineral resources in the country on June 5. Also read: Supplementary budget for 2021-22 passed in JS Chairman of the Committee Waseqa Ayesha Khan moved for the time extension in the House which approved it by voice vote. The proposed law will replace the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation Ordinance, 1985 that was declared void by the court as it was promulgated during the regime of military dictator. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid placed the bill on June 5 and it was sent to the respective parliamentary standing committee. The committee was asked to submit its report within 15 days. As per the bill a Corporation will be established titled the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation for carrying out the purposes of this bill. The corporation may also be called PETROBANGLA. This will be a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued. The main office of the corporation will be established in Dhaka whereas if necessary  its offices can be set up in any place in and outside the country taking prior permission from the government. The authorised capital of the Corporation shall be Tk 5000 crore, which was Tk 200 crore, while the paid up capital will be Tk 200 crore. Also read:Electricity demand in Rajshahi region to go three-times higher in five years: Nasul Hamid The Board shall consist of the following Directors, a Chairman to be appointed by the Government, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with energy and mineral resources to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with finance to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, an officer not below the rank of a Joint Secretary of the Ministry or Division dealing with planning to be nominated by that Ministry or Division, three officials of the Corporation nominated by the government and two Directors to be appointed by the Government.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Youth and Sports Ministry on Tuesday recommended the government to take steps for immediately opening all the country’s unused and locked stadiums for the development of sports. The recommendation came at the 16th meeting of the parliamentary watchdog held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with its chairman Abdullah Al Islam Jakob in the chair, said a Parliament handout. In the meeting, the committee asked the ministry to complete the unfinished works of a project soon to make upazila-level Sheikh Russel mini stadiums ready for sports. Also read: Tougher maritime law in the offing; bill placed in JS The parliamentary body suggested the ministry to take necessary measures to upgrade the post of Youth Development Officer under the Department of Youth Development to class-I post. The meeting also discussed the activities of the National Sports Council and Bangladesh Cycling Federation. The committee congratulated its member and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan (Papan) as he was reelected the BCB president unopposed. Also read: JS passes Kurigram Agricultural University Bill The parliamentary body also thanked Papan as he announced there to provide modern bicycles to the Bangladesh Cycling Federation. Other committee members- State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel, Mahbub Ara Begum Gini, Abdus Salam Murshedi, Jewel Areng and Zakia Tabassum- attended the meeting.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Liberation War Affairs Ministry on Wednesday recommended the government to provide every valiant freedom fighter with a digital certificate, smart identity card and a medal so that they do not face any hassle in availing of the facilities announced by the government for them. The recommendation came from the 21st meeting of the parliamentary body, held at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban with its chairman Shajahan Khan in the chair. At the meeting, the committee discussed the Freedom Fighter Medal Guidelines, 2021 (Muktijoddha Padak Nitimala, 2021), the development activities of Rajdhani Supermarket, and the progress in implementation of the decisions taken in the Muktijoddha Kalyan Trust Board over the sale of fallow lands. READ: JS body for filling 1585 vacant posts in CHT primary schools The parliamentary watchdog suggested enhancement of the number of medals to distribute among qualified individuals, agencies or organisations as per the Freedom Fighter Medal Guidelines, 2021, said a handout. It also asked for installation of lifts or capsule lifts (elevators) in all the Muktijoddha Complexes so that the freedom fighters can easily move inside the complexes. READ: JS passes Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Bill   Committee members Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque (Gazipur-1), Rajiuddin Ahmed (Narsingdi-5), Major (Retd.) Rafiqul Islam, Bir Uttam (Chandpur-5), A.B Tajul Islam (Brahmanbaria-6), Kazi Firoz Rashid (Dhaka-6) and Waresat Hussain Belal (Netrakona-5) attended the meeting.

Awami League MP Shahiduzzaman Sarker has been made the chief of the parliamentary standing committee on the Law Ministry.The post remained vacant following demise of five times MP and former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru. Read: JS passes bill to ensure proportionate use of iodine in salt, regulate marketKhasru, elected from Cumilla-5 (Brahmmanpara and Burichong Upazila), died on April 14 at the Dhaka Combined Military Hospital.The Parliament Secretariat declared the seat vacant on April 22. Read:BHBFC to have extended areas of services; Bill lands in JSBesides, Waseqa Ayesha Khan, an AL MP elected in reserved seats for women in parliament (Women seat-7) ,was made the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.Shahiduzzaman Sarker was the chairman of this committee. Read: Updated Bankers’ Book Evidence coming, Bill placedChief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhuryon Monday placed the proposal of reconstitution of the parliamentary committees on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Later it was passed in the parliament by voice vote. Parliament also reconstituted parliamentary standing committees on the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry.

The House Building Finance Corporation Bill (Amendment) 2021 was placed in Parliament on Monday to increase the authorised and paid-up capitals, and expand its areas of providing services. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed the Bill in the House and it was sent to the respective Parliamentary Standing Committee for further scrutiny. The Committee was asked to submit its report within a month. Read:Updated Bankers’ Book Evidence coming, Bill placed The original law was promulgated in 1973, during Bangabandhu’s rule, through issuing an order. With the amendment, the authorised capital of the Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation (BHBFC) will be Tk 1,000 crore while the paid-up capital Tk 500 crore. The BHBFC, with the enhancement of these, will be able to provide more services, according to the objective of the Bill. The proposed Bill is making punishment for providing false statements harsher while taking loans from the corporation. Read:Bill placed in JS with provision of archiving all records The punishment for providing false statements deliberately to take loan from the corporation has been proposed for a five-year jail term or Tk 500,000 fine or both raising that from a two-year jail term or Tk 2,000 fine or both. If anyone uses the name of the corporation in any advertisement or prospectus without any written permission, he or she will be sentenced to six months' jail or be fined with Tk 50,000 or both. The punishment was six months' jail or only Tk 1,000 fine in the existing Bangladesh House Building Finance Corporation Order 1973. In the proposed Bill, some words, including 'loan default', 'chairman of the corporation', and 'director' have been incorporated. Read: Cabinet approves draft Finance Company Bill A superseding clause has been inserted in the bill to give it priority over other laws. There will be a seven-member Board of Directors for three years while the Chairman and the Managing Director will be appointed by the government.