\\\'Proposed formalin control law to have provision of life term jail\\\'

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Sunday said the government will finalise the proposed Formalin Control Bill, 2013, incorporating a provision of life imprisonment, instead of existing 10 years’ jail, as the maximum punishment for formalin-related offences. He made the remarks while replying to a query at a press briefing after a meeting at the ministry in the afternoon. On November 4, 2013, the Cabinet approved in principle the draft of the ‘Formalin Control Bill, 2013’ keeping a provision of maximum 10 years’ imprisonment or Tk 0.5 million in fine for treating foodstuffs with the chemical. Later, the draft was sent to the Commerce Ministry for further scrutiny so that it does not conflict with the Food Safety Act. ATM Murtoza Reza Chowdhury, Additional Secretary to the Commerce Ministry, said details about formalin use have been described in the law after consultation with teachers of Buet, Dhaka University and experts of Science Laboratory, according to a news agency.