Bangladesh
Mongla Port Law Mongla Port to have new laws
Dhaka, April 3: The 'Mongla Port Authority Bill-2021' has been introduced in the Parliament with the provision of appointing any person or organization for the establishment, management and operation of the Mongla Port.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury raised the bill in Parliament on Saturday. The bill was later examined within two months and sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Shipping for a report in Parliament.
The laws enacted from 1975 to 1978 are being repealed by the order of the High Court. Therefore, the new law is being enacted instead of the Mongla Port Authority Ordinance-1976. The bill states that, if necessary, the office of the Mongla Port Authority can be set up anywhere in the country.
The bill provides for the formation of the required number of committees to discharge the duties of the authority. Different areas and places of the port can be declared as reserved areas.
The proposed law has added provisions for hiring operators following the customary procedure for loading, storing, unloading and delivering goods at the port.
The bill provides for a one-month jail term or a fine of Tk 100,000 or both for evading tolls, rates and charges.
The offenses under this Act will be tried in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code. Provisions have also been made for mobile courts.
The bill provides for the permission of any person or organization for the management, operation and maintenance of any port facility and property in the period, conditions and manner prescribed by rules. It was not in the previous law.
