Law
week
Boon for tax-dodgers, bane for taxpayers
The provision for whitening black money in the proposed new budget comes with certain strict conditions this time, but the rate of tax for whitening money still remains unduly favourable for black money owners, compared to regular income tax rates, just like previous similar provisions. Since the country's independence, scope for whitening money was provided 9 times in different ways, and Tk 18,091 crore was legalised while the state got Tk 1,480 crore in tax on the amount. -The Daily Star, June 18, 2009.
Govt's rules change to rock WB aid flow
As the government has finalised some major amendments to the public procurement rules, the World Bank last week said adoption of these changes could jeopardise its project aid including budget support for Bangladesh. To amend the Public Procurement Act/Rules (PPA)/(PPR), the government has finalised about 50 articles of the PPA and PPR for amendment. Once the PPA and PPR is amended, it will allow the government to award contracts for jobs involving up to Tk 2 crore through lottery and selection of contractor without any pre-qualifications. -The Daily Star, June 16, 2009.
JS body to hear Matin's version
A parliamentary sub-committee decided to summon former shipping adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin to hear his version about the allegation of corruption against him in awarding contract of container handling at Chittagong port. The sub-committee formed by the parliamentary standing committee on shipping ministry at meeting observed that there were anomalies in the tender process in awarding the contract to Eshak Brothers. “In the preliminary investigation, it seems that massive corruption took place in the tender process,” Shah Alam, chief of the sub-committee, told reporters after the meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. -The Daily Star, June 16, 2009.
Govt footing eviction bill?
The government is spending huge amount from the public exchequer for its ongoing drive against river grabbers, although there is a legal option for realising the cost from the demolished property of the encroachers. Director (Port Division) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Mahabubul Alam said they have never received any compensation for demolition costs. BIWTA Deputy Director Saiful Islam said the deputy commissioners (DC) concerned are responsible for realising the demolition costs from the encroachers. -The Daily Star, June 16, 2009.
Unite against Tipai dam
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (Bapa) President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad called on the government “not to kill people" by allowing India to build Tipaimukh dam and thus cause a drought in Bangladesh. He said the Tipaimukh dam is not an issue to be used politically, and called on everyone to stand united against the dam to save the country from "turning into a stretch of desert." -The Daily Star, June 16, 2009.
Govt itself violating building rules
No government building including those built by Public Works Department (PWD) has taken approval from authorities concerned since 1987, which is mandatory under the Building Construction (BC) Act of 1952 and subsequent building rules. The PWD had enjoyed an exemption from such approval till 1987 but an amendment after that made the approval mandatory before construction of a building as it applies to other organisations and individuals. The government, a year back, delegated the authority to the chief architect of the Department of Architecture to approve only the PWD buildings, but to no avail. -The Daily Star, June 14, 2009.
Scope means injustice to regular taxpayers
The money-whitening provision would mean injustice to the regular taxpayers and leave them in an uneven contest with the black money owners, said speakers at a discussion. Participating in BBC Bangladesh Sanglap, they also observed that the size of the proposed budget is not that big compared to that of the previous one, but its implementation is surely a cause for concern. MM Akash, a professor of economics at Dhaka University, said the opportunity to legalise the undisclosed money would encourage corruption. -The Daily Star, June 14, 2009.
Child labour laws to be updated
The government will update the existing labour laws to stop children doing hazardous jobs, said Law Minister Shafique Ahmed. Since many families depend on the incomes of their children, child labour should not be stopped straightaway enacting any law, he said, adding that the government is trying to rehabilitate the poor children, who are engaged in different jobs, by creating facilities for their education and financial development. He was speaking as the chief guest at a meeting organised by Disadvantaged Adolescents' Working NGOs (DAWN) Forum marking the World Child Labour Resistance Day, 2009, at Dhaka Mohanagar Natya Mancha. -The Daily Star, June 13, 2009.
Sahara warns law enforcers, asks them to check crimes
Home Minister Sahara Khatun warned officials of law enforcement agencies that they would be held accountable for failing to improve law and order in the country soon. "I have ordered the law enforcement agencies to work for improving law and order immediately although they have acute shortage of manpower," Sahara told the press after giving her welcome speech at a ceremony celebrating the 37th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Mahila Samity. -The Daily Star, June 13, 2009.
Plan to appoint 13 judges to SC
The government will appoint at least three judges to the Appellate Division and 10 judges to the High Court (HC) Division of the Supreme Court (SC) by June this year as a number of judges of both the divisions will retire this year and next year. The present government appointed 11 judges to the HC Division and two judges to the Appellate Division. There are seven judges for the Appellate Division and 74 for the HC Division at present, sources said. Law Minister Shafique Ahmed on May 19 told The Daily Star that his ministry had already started the process of appointing some new judges to the Appellate Division and the HC Division of the apex court. -The Daily Star, June 13, 2009.
Corresponding with the Law Desk
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