Council of Advisers approves Freedom Fighters Council amendment draft

The Council of Advisers on Thursday (15 May) approved the draft of the National Freedom Fighters Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 at its regular meeting.

The approval, subject to vetting by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, was given during the 28th meeting of the Council of Advisers, held at the Chief Adviser's Office with Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

Meanwhile, the final approval of the draft 'Welfare and Rehabilitation of Families of Martyrs and Injured Students in the July Uprising Ordinance, 2025' was also given in principle.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs initiated the move.

As per the decision, a committee has been formed comprising Advisers from the Ministry of Housing and Public Works; Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources; Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to review the draft 'Welfare and Rehabilitation of Families of Martyrs and Injured Students in the July Uprising Ordinance, 2025'.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs will provide secretarial support to the committee.

The Council of Advisers also approved the draft Dredging and Dredged Material Management Policy 2024, aiming to ensure well-coordinated and planned dredging operations and optimal use of dredged materials.

It also recommended updating the Balumahal and Soil Management Rules, 2011, aiming to conduct new hydrographic surveys before leasing sand quarries based on outdated surveys, prohibiting sand extraction after sunset and utilising illegally extracted sand in public construction projects instead of auctioning it.

The Ministry of Land will take necessary steps in this regard.

Besides, the Council of Advisers reviewed the report submitted by the advisory committee regarding the formulation of the National Gene Bank Management Policy-2024.

The report found that infrastructure related to the National Gene Bank in Savar was built without properly assessing the actual need, resulting in increased government expenditure.

To ensure optimal use of the gene bank infrastructure, a committee has been formed under the leadership of the Ministry of Planning adviser.

Advisers from the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health and Family Welfare, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change will be included in the committee. The Ministry of Science and Technology will provide secretarial support.

It also approved the draft National Urban Policy 2025.

The draft will be revised by a committee led by the member of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission.

The Council of Advisors also approved the draft Locally Led Adaptation Framework (LLAF), prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The framework aims to ensure integration of local priorities and capacities in planning and implementing climate change adaptation initiatives across the country.