Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the authorities concerned to further expedite relief operations in the flood-affected haor areas to minimise human sufferings.
She also advised ensuring broader publicity measures so people of the country can be made aware of the ongoing relief works in the haor areas.
The PM made the directives at the cabinet's weekly meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat where Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya briefed journalists about the meeting as well as relief activities being undertaken by the government in the haor areas.
Later, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters that the PM has directed the ministries and agencies concerned to be __more active in conducting flood relief operations and rehabilitation of the people affected in the area.
The PM during the meeting said that her government would do everything necessary to help the people in the haor areas.
DRAFT OF FISHERIES QUARANTINE ACT-2017 APPROVED
Meanwhile, the cabinet yesterday approved the draft of “The Fisheries Quarantine Act-2017” with a provision of maximum two years' jail or fine of Tk 5 lakh for importing harmful and banned fish, fry and fish products, aiming to control the spread of disease and microbes in fish.
The law aims to restrict import of any fish, fish products and related microorganisms without licence or prior permission from the Department of Fisheries.
“The new law will control the contraband fish species and harmful or pernicious bacteria that accompany various types of imported fish and fish fries,” said Cabinet Secretary Alam.
As per the law, the government can impose restriction on import of any particular species of fish or fish items in public interest, he said.
Under the law, imported fish, fish products, useful living microorganisms or packaged fish items would be kept in quarantine in fisheries quarantine stations to be set up at all ports.
The government through gazette notifications can restrict intrusion, purchase, sale, breeding and transport of any fish, fish items, microorganisms, genetically modified organisms, living modified organisms and alien invasive species.
According to the law, the owner of a pond or a water body must inform the nearest fishery officials in case any fish disease or contamination is detected.