Prime Minister directs to be active on GI products

 

 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to take positive steps about the geographical indication (GI) certificates for the country's products.

She made the directive while chairing the Cabinet meeting held at her office here in the city. The issue of GI products came up for discussion in the meeting, said Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain at a press briefing in the Bangladesh Secretariat. "The Prime Minister asked all to be active and take initiatives about (the GI certification) our products," he said.

Earlier, Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun handed over the GI certificates for Tangail saree, Narsingdi's Amrita Sagar Banana and Gopalganj's Rosogolla to the Prime Minister at the meeting. In the meeting, the prime minister also unveiled the cover of a poetry book "Pitaroe Proticchobi" (Reflection of Father), composed by Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman.

The issue of GI certification has now come to the fore after the Indian government granted GI recognition to Tangail Saree, claiming that the products originated from West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Cabinet yesterday gave final approval to the draft of 'Village Court (amendment) Act, 2024' enhancing the authority of village courts to fine Taka 3 lakh, raising the amount from existing Taka 75 thousand.

The approval came from the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office.
Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat.

Hossain said the government gave the final approval to the draft act last year. There is an obligation to take approval from the new Cabinet as it was not tabled in the last parliament, he said, adding now the current Cabinet gave the final approval.

He said the government is set to enhance the authority of village courts, enabling them to raise fines from Taka 75,000 to Taka 3 lakh.

He said a village court comprises five members, including the union parishad chairman. In some cases, the court cannot function if any member remains absent. In this situation, the absent member would get seven days to be present in the meeting. If the member cannot be present, then the chairman has the power to give one additional vote, he said.