Govt approves 3-yr Hajj Policy, Gas Ordinance
Sunday, 17 June 2007
The caretaker government (CG) approved 3-year-term National Hajj Policy aiming to remove problems associated with the management of the holy pilgrimage for its smooth observance by the pilgrims, reports UNB.
It also approved, in principle, the draft Gas Ordinance 2007 stipulating comprehensive measures for properly dealing the potential economic sector of natural gas.
An official announcement said the regular weekly meeting of the council of advisers Saturday, with Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, gave approval to the two important legal instruments: Hajj Policy and Gas Ordinance.
Previously, government used to adopt national hajj policy on annual basis. Under the new national hajj policy, the month of Rabiussani (Islamic calendar) has been fixed for announcing hajj package while the 29th of Rajab as the last date of receiving application form from aspirant pilgrims. The pilgrims can be sent both under government and private management.
It has been made mandatory in the policy that the owners of hajj agencies would have to go themselves to Saudi Arabia for renting standard residences for pilgrims.
Regarding the house renting, the hajj agencies, as per the existing rule of Saudi Arabia, will have to take clearance letter from Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia. And all the information related to the rented houses wil l have to be submitted to Bangladesh Hajj Missions in Makkah and Madinah, and the country's Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
"The concerned hajj agencies will have to accomplish agreement, specifically with the hajj passengers," said the new policy decision.
In the policy, a provision has been incorporated for punishment against agencies that would be unable to provide proper service to pilgrims as per announced package and agreement.
The Civil Aviation Ministry would fix common fare of Biman for pilgrims under both government and private management. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will fix the hajj-flight schedule for pilgrims of both the categories. Hajj flights would be operated from Chittagong and Sylhet besides from Dhaka.
The council of advisers opined that if the hajj management ran in the light of the approved policy, present problems would be solved "to a large extent" as the hajj management will come under a well-controlled system and get an "institutional shape."
Members of the council of advisers attended the meeting at the CA's Office.
The advisory council approved in principle the draft of the Gas Ordinance 2007 aiming to streamline the transmission, distribution, marketing and supply of the fossil fuel.
It envisages legal measures regarding its stock business as well as for imposing "effective control" over the sale of produced gas and uncounted gas.
Also, the ordinance arms government with effective legal powers to curb crimes, including illegal gas connection and meter-tampering.
The growing hydrocarbon sector was reportedly riddled with these two criminal practices involving the distribution of gas.
In the meeting, the council of advisers also reviewed the massive loss of life and property in the recent landslide in Chittagong and activities under government's relief and rescue operations.
The meeting directed the concerned authorities to further strengthen the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities.
It also approved, in principle, the draft Gas Ordinance 2007 stipulating comprehensive measures for properly dealing the potential economic sector of natural gas.
An official announcement said the regular weekly meeting of the council of advisers Saturday, with Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair, gave approval to the two important legal instruments: Hajj Policy and Gas Ordinance.
Previously, government used to adopt national hajj policy on annual basis. Under the new national hajj policy, the month of Rabiussani (Islamic calendar) has been fixed for announcing hajj package while the 29th of Rajab as the last date of receiving application form from aspirant pilgrims. The pilgrims can be sent both under government and private management.
It has been made mandatory in the policy that the owners of hajj agencies would have to go themselves to Saudi Arabia for renting standard residences for pilgrims.
Regarding the house renting, the hajj agencies, as per the existing rule of Saudi Arabia, will have to take clearance letter from Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia. And all the information related to the rented houses wil l have to be submitted to Bangladesh Hajj Missions in Makkah and Madinah, and the country's Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
"The concerned hajj agencies will have to accomplish agreement, specifically with the hajj passengers," said the new policy decision.
In the policy, a provision has been incorporated for punishment against agencies that would be unable to provide proper service to pilgrims as per announced package and agreement.
The Civil Aviation Ministry would fix common fare of Biman for pilgrims under both government and private management. Biman Bangladesh Airlines will fix the hajj-flight schedule for pilgrims of both the categories. Hajj flights would be operated from Chittagong and Sylhet besides from Dhaka.
The council of advisers opined that if the hajj management ran in the light of the approved policy, present problems would be solved "to a large extent" as the hajj management will come under a well-controlled system and get an "institutional shape."
Members of the council of advisers attended the meeting at the CA's Office.
The advisory council approved in principle the draft of the Gas Ordinance 2007 aiming to streamline the transmission, distribution, marketing and supply of the fossil fuel.
It envisages legal measures regarding its stock business as well as for imposing "effective control" over the sale of produced gas and uncounted gas.
Also, the ordinance arms government with effective legal powers to curb crimes, including illegal gas connection and meter-tampering.
The growing hydrocarbon sector was reportedly riddled with these two criminal practices involving the distribution of gas.
In the meeting, the council of advisers also reviewed the massive loss of life and property in the recent landslide in Chittagong and activities under government's relief and rescue operations.
The meeting directed the concerned authorities to further strengthen the ongoing relief and rehabilitation activities.