BSS, Sangsad Bhaban
Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Amendment Bill, 2021 was passed in the parliament to make it time befitting after bringing necessary changes in the draft law related to the issue.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali moved the bill in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
While placing the bill, Ali said the proposed law has been enacted amending the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) act 2013.
The draft bill has been included the provisions of ownership transfer and establishment of travel agencies branch in outside the country to make the business similar to the global perspective, the minister told the House.
Even the rules of specific punishment for committing any irregularities and violation of rules by the concerned people related with the agency also have been included in the draft law.
Before framing the law, opposition lawmakers including Fazley Imam, Raushanara Mannan, Mujibul Haq, Independent lawmaker Rezaul Karim Bablu, BNP lawmakers Harunur Rashid and Rumin Farhana demanded more public review on the draft law.
Sharply criticizing the proposed law, BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid said “the government is enacting the law for protecting interests of the travel agency owners.”
Opposition lawmaker Mujibul Haq call for including harsh rules in the act for strengthening the management of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines aiming to make the national carrier economically viable.
“The proposed law is being enacted for protecting the interest equally of the travel agency owners and consumers,” said the state minister in his speech.