JS passes BARD Bill

The Parliament Tuesday passed the "Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development Bill, 2017 for further strengthening the legal framework of the academy and making it more effective in playing an important role in the country's socio-economic development, reports BSS.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain piloted the bill for its passage.

 Later, the House endorsed the bill unanimously by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

The bill consists of 24 sections specifying procedures of establishing the academy and carrying out its activities, formation of board, authority of the chairman and managing director, budget formulation process and auditing and accounting.

According to the bill, the head office of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development would be established at Kotbari in Comilla district.

But, the academy preserves the right to set up its branches at any places of the country with prior approval of the government. The bill proposed formation of an 18-member board headed by LGRD and Cooperatives minister.

The bill has sought annulment of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development Ordinance, 1986.