ACC can now probe money laundering crimes
Advisory Council okays amendment to Act
Staff Correspondent
The council of advisers yesterday approved an amendment to the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2002 giving investigation responsibilities to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and empowering special judges to deliver verdicts on money laundering crimes.Currently only the agencies, authorised by the central bank, can probe money laundering crimes and district judges delivered the verdicts. Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Syed Fahim Munaim yesterday told a press briefing that the decision was taken in light of the Anti Corruption Commission (amendment) Ordinance, 2007 and the Criminal Law Amendment, 1958. Due to the amendment, money laundering cases, currently under trial and investigation, will now be transferred to the ACC and special judges will deliver the verdicts. According to the revised act, if any conflict arises in the provisions of Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2002, ACC Act, 2004 and Criminal Law Amendment, 1958, the latter two will get priority, said Fahim. The advisory council earlier approved a Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2007, which is currently being vetted by the law ministry. Fahim said the revised provisions would be incorporated into the new act once it replaces the 2002 edition. Finance ministry sources said the government is further correcting the proposed Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2007 in light of the present anti-corruption drive. The advisory council also approved Trademark Ordinance, 2007 and a guideline on nurse recruitment to reduce crisis of nurses in the country. The Trademark Ordinance, 2007 updates the previous regulations on trademarks and intellectual property rights, but yesterday's council also asked the industry ministry to see how trademark policies can be brought more in line with World Trade Organisation and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The council has also asked the industry ministry to look for the best policies to benefit Bangladesh from greater alignment with WTO and WIPO. Fahim said individuals or organisations guilty of infringing the trademarks ordinance would face criminal charges in addition to the existing fines. Regarding nurses recruitment, the council asked the health ministry to change rules and conditions for nurses' entry. At present, there is only one nurse for two doctors. However, the internationally accepted standard is three nurses for each doctor.
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