The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) has identified 202 laws for review and scrutiny, which may ultimately be sent to the government for annulment or amendment.

A meeting of the RRC at its office yesterday approved the list of the laws, setting the reform body's work plan for next six months when its tenure expires.

"The laws deserve either annulment as redundant or amendment," RRC chairman Dr Akbar Ali Khan told reporters after the meeting.

He said the list has been sent to all the trade bodies for their review and seeking suggestions if the laws or provisions thereof cause impediments to their businesses and thus hampering economic activities.

"We've approved the list considering our capacity to complete within our tenure. It's not possible to look into all the laws within this short period," he said. The RRC has already passed half of its one-year tenure.

Asked if they could complete the task of reviewing so many laws with the next six months Dr Akbar said identification of bad or redundant laws itself was a daunting task. Once it has been done the review work has been distributed among groups. "We are hopeful of completing the task." The annulment of or amendment to the laws are to simplify and reduce requirement of time facilitating economic activities, he added.

Of the laws identified, the RRC today (Tuesday) decided to recommend the government to annul the Sarais Act 1867, which he said runs counter to the Bangladesh Hotels and Restaurants Ordinance, 1982. It will also recommend amendment to the ordinance.

Replying to a question, the RRC chairman said the reform body has so far put forward eight recommendations to the government.