Bill passed to amend legal aid act
The parliament yesterday passed a bill seeking to bring amendments to the Legal Aid Act, 2000 to strengthen the national legal aid organisation and its district committees.
Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shafique Ahmed proposed for passage of the bill. Lawmakers present in the House consented to the proposal in voice vote in the evening.
The law minister placed the bill in the House on May 22 this year.
With the passage of the bill, a new provision was introduced making mandatory for joint signatures of the secretary of law and justice division and the member secretary of the legal aid organisation for withdrawal of fund from the organisation.
Some changes will also be brought in district level committees of the organisation.
In defence of the amendments, the law minister said the law was enacted to provide legal assistance to the poor who truly deserve the support.
He the legal aid organisations and similar district committees will play more effective role in providing legal aid.
Earlier, the sitting of the House resumed yesterday afternoon after over a three-week break amid absence of the BNP-led opposition lawmakers.
The opposition deputies have been boycotting the House proceedings since March 16 this year.
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