JS passes bill changing terms of conviction

The Jatiya Sangsad yesterday passed a bill changing a provision for dismissal of government employees.
The bill increased the terms of conviction to one year from six months, which is used for dismissal of public servants.
LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, who is also in charge of the establishment ministry in parliamentary affairs, proposed the passage of the bill seeking to amend the Public Servants (dismissal on conviction) Ordinance 1985.
According to the previous provision, a government employee would be dismissed from the service if he or she was convicted to a term of six months and fined Tk 1,000.
But as per the amendment to the provision, the term of conviction has been increased to one year and the fine to Tk, 10,000.
Earlier, the previous caretaker government had amended the provision by promulgating an ordinance. But the ordinance was ceased to have effect on February 25, as it was not ratified in parliament within the specified time.
The House also passed another bill preserving terrestrial facility exclusively for the Bangladesh Television (BTV).
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad proposed the passage of the bill with the provisions for stringent punishment for violation of the law.
Two other bills amending a number of provisions of the Members of Bangladesh Public Service Commission (terms and conditions of service) Act 1974 and Public Servants (marriage with foreign nationals) Ordinance 1976 were also passed.
Meanwhile, the House last night recast 20 parliamentary standing committees, incorporating lawmakers from the BNP-led opposition.