The meeting presided over by the prime minister also approved, in principle, amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act (CrPC) 1898, redefining the job descriptions of the magistrates of the lower courts. The next cabinet meeting is expected to give the final approval to the amendments.

The approval to the creation of a database of travellers coming in or going out of the country came in the wake of recent rise in Islamist militant activities in the country. The programme jointly financed and designed by the US and the Bangladesh government is already in operation at a few ports of entry to the country, said government officials.

The proposal to amend the CrPC was brought in the cabinet following the Supreme Court's (SC) refusal to allow more time to implement the court's 12-point directive for separating the judiciary from the executive branch of the government.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed told journalists yesterday that the government is absolutely sincere in separating the judiciary from its executive branch. "The government is working on it. The cabinet today approved the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act in principle. Since the matter is very complex and important we need to further examine the amendments and hope to get the final approval in the next meeting."

The minister said if approved by the cabinet the bill will be sent to the parliament during the current session.

The proposed bill has divided the magistrates into two groups, judicial and executive. Judicial magistrates will have no administrative business and they will be under the authority of the SC. Executive magistrates will not take part in any judicial activity. They will however be authorised to issue executive orders such as declaration of section 144, and issuance of orders to use force in cases of deterioration of law and order situations along with carrying out other administrative jobs.

When it comes to postings, transfers, promotions, suspensions, dismissals, and probationary appointments of the magistrates, the authority will rest with the SC.

The government had sought a four-month extension from the SC for implementing the court order for separating the judiciary on February 01, but it was refused. That was the government's 22nd appeal seeking extension of the deadline.

Three successive governments including the ruling BNP-led alliance had taken extensions of time to implement the SC verdict.

Members of the cabinet, the state ministers of the ministries concerned, cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister, and the secretaries to the ministries concerned were present in the meeting.