CA hopes for graft free judiciary

Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday hoped that the independent judiciary would play a tough and courageous role in establishing the rule of law in the country, remaining free from corruption.He further hoped that the judicial department would move forward for establishing justice everywhere in society, as it is now fully free from all sorts of influence following its separation. "The pace of justice has to be swifter and the dispensation of justice visible and transparent," the head of the caretaker government said.He said all institutions of the executive branch, including the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, will remain fully prepared to extend all assistance in accordance with the constitution in discharge of their (judges) duties.The CA expressed the optimism while formally unveiling Bangladesh Code that contains all existing laws of the land in updated form at a function organised at Sonargaon Hotel by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.The law ministry and the newly created Legislative Drafting Wing of the ministry with financial support of the government of Canada compiled and published the Bangladesh Code as a repository of laws. It carries a total of 956 primary laws in 38 volumes after necessary updating of the laws formulated between 1908 and January 2007, the function was informed. Those who use laws professionally and apply everyday will benefit from the Bangladesh Code.Law Adviser Mainul Hosein presided over the programme. Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson and Secretary-in-charge of the Law Ministry Kazi Habibul Awal also spoke on the occasion. Advisers to the caretaker government and dignitaries and distinguished personalities were present.The law ministry has a plan to publish Bangladesh Code in CD form and release on website.In his speech, the CA said updating the irrelevant and inconsistent laws into time-befitting ones has now become demand of the time and asked the ministry concerned to take the initiative.He said with the passage of time, many of the existing laws of Bangladesh have lost their relevance. Stressing the importance of mass literacy and awareness in development and modernisation, which is applicable to developing countries like Bangladesh, he noted that justice and fair play had been molested routinely in various tiers of the socio-economic arena due to poverty and backwardness in education of the majority people.The situation would not have deteriorated so much if the general masses were more aware about laws and the judiciary, he told the function.So the publication of Bangladesh Code bears importance and significance in building a just society through raising awareness about law among the masses and professionals, he added.The CA emphasised translating laws drafted in English into Bangla and Bangla ones into English for the convenience of law practitioners.He said judges, lawyers and general citizens used to face various problems as the existing laws of Bangladesh were not easy available in the form of a code. They were often confused about the latest status of various laws as well as keeping track of the newly framed laws also became difficult. "This kind of problem arises because of the absence of a dependable compilation of the existing laws."He said the paramount objective of any state's legal system is to ensure good governance and fair justice through upholding human rights and justice. "Attaining this noble goal becomes difficult if the laws in vogue cannot be made available to the citizens."Law Adviser Mainul Hosein in his speech said the people must have clear idea about the laws of the country to make them law-abiding citizens. "When you are definite about your laws, you can also be definite about the changes you need for the betterment of your country," he told the function.The Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson said her country feels proud extending assistance to the important project in publishing Bangladesh Code.She appreciated the caretaker government for separating the judiciary from the executive.
One of several CNG filling stations between Kanchpur Bridge and Jatrabari of the capital which BNP big shots built on the Kutubkhali canal, drastically reducing Dhaka's drainage capability.