‘Empower the legislature, don’t ignore it’: Deputy Speaker rebukes minister over bill delay

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal on Monday rebuked the government for taking nearly four months to bring a Cabinet-approved bill to parliament, warning that delays by the executive were denying lawmakers adequate time to scrutinise legislation.

"Empower the legislature, don't ignore it," Kaiser told Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher as the latter prepared to introduce the Bogura Development Authority Bill, 2026.

The Cabinet approved the draft legislation on July 23. It reached parliament on November 4 and was introduced on November 9.

"Why did it take your executive branch four months to send this bill, forcing me to exercise my prerogative to condone the delay?" Kaiser asked the minister.

"I am granting permission. But I believe I have raised this issue in parliament once or twice before. Despite having sufficient time, the executive does not send bills to the legislature on schedule. As a result, members of parliament do not get the opportunity to examine them."

Under parliamentary rules, government bills require seven days' notice before introduction, while private members' bills require 15 days. The Speaker can waive the notice requirement.

Kaiser questioned why the Cabinet Division had taken so long to forward the legislation.

"A bill approved by the Cabinet four months ago should not take three or four months to reach parliament from the Cabinet Division," he said.

He then allowed the minister to proceed, but issued another warning.

"You may introduce the bill. But please be careful in the future. Empower the legislature, don't ignore it."

The minister subsequently tabled the bill, which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works for examination. The committee was asked to submit its report within three days.

What the bill proposes

The legislation seeks to establish the Bogura Development Authority to oversee planned urbanisation, land use and infrastructure development in the northern city and surrounding areas.

Once enacted, the government will establish the authority through a gazette notification.

Its jurisdiction will cover Bogura City Corporation and adjoining areas designated by the government.

The authority will prepare master plans, strategic plans and detailed area plans. It will also conduct land surveys, research and assessments, and collect data for urban planning.

The bill empowers the authority to undertake redevelopment projects in unplanned neighbourhoods, improve inadequate road networks and reorganise land use.

In the statement accompanying the bill, Minister Zakaria Taher said Bogura's growing concentration of small and medium-sized industries required a dedicated planning authority.

He said the proposed body would help coordinate infrastructure development, expand modern civic amenities and support long-term sustainable urban growth.

The authority would follow the model of four existing development bodies: Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Chattogram Development Authority, Khulna Development Authority and Rajshahi Development Authority.

If enacted, the legislation would establish Bangladesh's fifth such development authority.

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