Dhaka: The Council of Advisers today approved significant legislative amendments, including the draft of the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Act. Additionally, the council sanctioned amendments to the Public Procurement Ordinance aimed at increasing transparency and competitiveness in the public procurement process, thereby dismantling existing syndicates.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting, held at the Chief Adviser's Office, saw the approval of removing the provision that rejected tender proposals if the estimated value was less than 10 percent. This amendment aims to foster a more competitive environment and introduces a new capacity matrix to replace the existing evaluation system that allowed repetitive tender awards to the same organizations. Furthermore, the government plans to transition fully to online tendering, increasing the current rate from 65 percent to 100 percent.
The meeting also addressed complexities surrounding the allotment of abandoned houses, allowing those with allotments to transfer ownership through mutations in their names. In a move to accommodate public convenience, the government extended the Eid holiday by one day on April 3. Additionally, an optional general holiday was declared for 'Chaitra Sangkranti,' recognizing the cultural significance for communities such as the Santal, Garo, Khasia, and Jayanta in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.