Interim government's council of advisers Thursday approved amendment to the Public Procurement Ordinance through scrapping the opaque provision of cancelling a tender if the quoted amount is over 10-percent lesser than the estimated value.
"The decision is taken to ensure total transparency in the public procurement," said Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, while briefing the press on the council meeting.
There are allegations that some syndicates ruled the roost in the public-tendering process and there was a lack of transparency, so these changes are made to ensure competitiveness, he points out.
The provision of rejecting tender proposals if the estimated value is less than 10 per cent has been abolished in the amended ordinance.
The previous matrix for evaluating works will be replaced with a new capacity matrix as previously same organisations used to get works repeatedly in some ministries, he said, adding that the government hopes the new steps will stop the "corrupt and unhealthy" tendering process.
He also mentions that the government has directed all departments concerned to go for 100-percent e-tendering for ensuring transparency as presently e-tendering is maintained for 65 per cent of public works.
The government has also asked the ministries to provide training to the officials concerned on e-tendering process to keep abreast of the paradigm change.
Responding to a question he said that during the visit of Dr Yunus to China at the end of the month, progress would be made regarding the exports of Bangladeshi fruits to China.
China has huge demand for Bangladeshi mangoes, jackfruits and guavas.
Responding to a question Mr Shafiq mentioned that the chief adviser would highlight the presence of Chinese healthcare enterprises in Bangladesh as China has one of the top medical facilities in the world.
China has recently started providing Chinese medical facilities for Bangladeshis in Kunming.
To another question, the Press Secretary said Bangladesh has very good ties with India and the bilateral trade between the two countries got enhanced in the last seven months under the present government.
The council also approved the draft Women and Children Repression (Amendment) Act to ensure quick trial and tough punishments for the perpetrators. Under the amendment, judges are vested with authority to assess whether DNA test is necessary to prove the accusations of rape.
Besides, separate provisions are added which consider establishing physical relationship with a person on false commitment of marrying a female a punishable offence.
The council of advisers also approved amendments to the existing law to make mutation of allotted abandoned property possible as previously those who got allotment of abandoned houses could not have mutation under their own name in the past.
The briefing was told that for the convenience of the public, the Eid holiday has been extended by one day, April 3.
At the same time, the government has decided to declare an optional general holiday on the occasion of 'Chaitra Sangkranti' for all communities, including Santal, Garo, Khasia and Jayanta, living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The briefing session was also told that Australia will now process visas for Bangladeshi citizens from its High Commission in Dhaka.
"Australian Home Minister Tony Burke today called Home Adviser Lt-General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury over phone informing him that. The home adviser told the council of advisers that the decision would be effective immediately," said the press secretary.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus made the request to Australian Home Minister Burke when he visited Bangladesh in October last year.
Previously, Australia would process visas of the Bangladeshi nationals in New Delhi.
Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were also present at the briefing.
According to bdnews24.com, the advisory council of the interim government has approved a revision of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, setting the maximum sentence for soliciting a sexual relationship with promises of marriage at seven years in prison.
The decision was taken at an advisory council meeting on Thursday, according to Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief advisor.
He said in a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, "A revision of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has been approved by the cabinet today. Our law advisor spoke in detail about this last week. After his briefing, we asked a number of women's groups for their opinions."
"Every effort has been taken to accommodate their opinions. In light of that, the law was debated for about an hour. After that, this amendment was passed."
Shafiqul said: "New measures are being taken regarding the rape cases that occur after promises of marriage. A new section is being added to the old law setting the maximum sentence at seven years and action will be taken on the other safeguards that can be introduced. The cabinet has finally passed it today."
On Mar 13, Law Advisor Asif said: "I only want to add one aspect in the new law. We are going to form a special tribunal to ensure the speedy trial of child rape and assault. The provision for the formation of a special tribunal will be in the new law.
"The task of this tribunal will be to only try cases of child rape and assault quickly so that the maximum attention of the state can be given to them."
Stating that a new definition of rape has been introduced in the proposed ordinance, Press Secretary Shafiqul said: "As you know, DNA tests play a big role in the delay in these cases."
"Measures have been taken on how to address this issue. We are also going to set up two new DNA labs."
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
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