The Bangladesh cabinet yesterday approved in principle the draft of the Civil Aviation Law, 2016 replacing the existing Civil Aviation Ordinance of 1960 stipulating both fine and jail term to any foreign aircraft that intentionally violates Bangladesh’s air space.
Persons responsible for the offence would have to suffer a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment or 20mn taka
as fine.
Besides, safety oversight responsibilities have been ensured in case of bringing any foreign aircraft on lease to Bangladesh or sending any Bangladeshi aircraft on lease to foreign countries.
In case of operating flight in a risky way, the pilots concerned will face a maximum of five years’ jail term or a fine of 10mn taka.
The approval was given at the regular weekly meeting of the cabinet with Prime Minister
 Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said since promulgation of the ordinance in 1960, the civil aviation sector has witnessed massive changes over the period and there was a binding requirement from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to update the laws.
The cabinet secretary said that the new law expands the scope of the government for formulating rules like appointing security officials in flights, providing assistance to the victims and their family members in case of accidents.
Alam said that draft law accommodated the changes that the global aviation industry has witnessed over the years.
The cabinet also gave the approval to the draft of the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council Law, 2016, incorporating a provision for constitution of a council to give registration to the professionals having degrees in nursing, midwifery and
related professions.
Alam said that the 24-member council would be formed with the secretary of the ministry of health and family welfare as its head.
He said like Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC), the Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council will give recognition to education, training and qualification of the nursing and midwifery professionals.
The proposed law has been formulated to replace the Bangladesh Nursing Ordinance, 1983, Alam said, adding that it was placed in a more expanded form as well as translating it into Bangla language as per the directive of the Supreme Court that had earlier declared illegal all the Martial Law regime ordinances.
According to the draft law, nurses, midwives and associate professionals will have to be registered with the council.