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Published on August 22, 2016
The approval was given at the regular cabinet meeting held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the aim of the new law is to check cyber crime.
"As per the proposed law, if anybody conducts propaganda against the War of Liberation and its spirit, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or the Liberation War issues, resolved by the court, through electronic medium, he or she will suffer maximum life-term and the minimum three-year imprisonment and the highest Taka one crore fine or both the punishment," he said.
The cabinet secretary said according to the proposed law, if anybody makes any attack or hacks very important information infrastructure like Biman Cyber Management, he or she will serve maximum 14-year and minimum two-year jail and Taka one crore fine or both the punishment.
Alam said the draft law has been formulated replacing Sections 54, 55, 56 and 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (Amendment) Act, 2013 to curb cyber terrorism crimes that can cause damage to the country financially and administratively.
He said as per the proposed law, there is a provision of maximum 14-year and minimum two-year jail and highest Tk one crore as fine or both the punishments for cyber terrorism.
Alam said the matters that would affect the unity and solidarity of Bangladesh and hinder security of other countries and the issues that are linked to terrorist acts and assist or allure to commit terrorist activities would be considered as cyber terrorism.
About the crimes to be committed by anyone using computer, mobile or any digital device, the cabinet secretary said, the offender would be punished for maximum five years and minimum two years of imprisonment and Tk three lakh as fine or both the punishments.
Besides, any one cheating or making forgery through using computer, mobile or any other electronic device would be punished for maximum five-year and minimum three-year jail and Tk three lakh as fine or both the punishments.
The cabinet secretary said the proposed law has kept a provision for two-year jail and Tk. 2 lakh as fine or both the punishments for violating secrecy, highest 10-year and minimum two-year imprisonment or Tk. 10 lakh as fine for pornography, highest two-year and minimum two-month jail and Tk. 2 lakh as fine or both the punishments for defamation and hurting religious sentiment and maximum 7-year and minimum one year jail and Tk. 7 lakh as fine or both the punishments for creating enmity and deteriorating law and order.
He said the draft law has proposed for constitution of a Digital Security Agency to be headed by the director general.
About the administrative structure of the agency, he said, the director general, who would be appointed by the government, could give directives to any law enforcement agency of the government to stop broadcasting of any information through computer resources if the DG thinks it urgent.
"If necessary, the director general could stop any transmission immediately," he said, adding, the DG will have a power to give a prohibitive order for possible violation.
Alam said the cabinet also okayed in principle the draft of "The Metrology Related Law, 2016" in a bid to enact a new law considering global perspective.
He said metrology-related operations have been going on through administrative orders as there was no such metrology related act in the country. "Besides, it has a link with the World Metrological Organization (WMO). So, the new law has been proposed considering the present circumstances," he added.
The cabinet secretary said that under the new law, the existing directorate, director general and the management of its officials and employees would get a legal shape.
The proposed law has kept provision for weather observation network, related establishments and their maintenance, directives for making quality observation.
Alam said that the draft law also highlighted what would be the devise for making forecasting and cautioning and weather observation, while national earthquake network establishment would be the core things of this law.
The day's cabinet meeting also approved in principle the drafts of The Hindu Religious Welfare Trust Law, 2016, The Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust Law, 2016 and The Christian Religion Welfare Trust Law, 2016
Alam said the cabinet also approved a proposal of the Ministry of Environment and Forests to continue ban until 2022 on the cutting of trees at the reserved and natural forests to protect the biodiversity of the country.
Besides, the cabinet also gave a nod to another proposal for ratification of the Paris Agreement by Bangladesh.
Ministers and state ministers concerned attended the meeting, while secretaries concerned were present.
Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol
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