Govt to amend law amid criticism

In the face of widespread criticism, the government yesterday decided to amend the Vested Property Return Act, 2001, repealing the provision of categorising the vested and enemy properties.
The decision came at an inter-ministerial meeting with Law Minister Shafique Ahmed in the chair at the conference room of the ministry, advocate Aksir M Chowdhury, assistant private secretary to the minister told The Daily Star.
Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira and high officials concerned attended the meeting.
Aksir M Chowdhury said now a proposal for amending the act will be placed before the cabinet and after its approval, the proposed amendment will be sent to the parliamentary standing committee concerned.
If the parliamentary body approves, a bill will be placed in the parliament.
He added that the harassment of original owners of the vested properties and enemy properties will be reduced if the proposed amendment is passed.
Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, who has been dealing with vested and enemy properties for several years, told The Daily Star that no category of vested and enemy properties will remain after passage of the proposed amendment.
Subrata added that vested properties and enemy properties have been categorised as schedule Ka and Kha following an amendment, which created legal complications over ownership.
The law minister could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts over the phone.
Different rights organisations have long been demanding the repeal of categorisation.