DACCA: The East Pakistan Provincial Assembly today [Feb 9] partially discussed the East Pakistan Disturbed Persons (rehabilitation) (second amendment) Ordinance, 1967, which last year amended the original ordinance of 1964.

The Provincial Revenue Minister, Mr Fakhr­uddin Ahmed, seeking Assembly’s approval for the amending ordinance said that it imposes time limit in the matter of disposal of applications for transfer of properties. Besides, he said, the ordinance also provides for appeal by any party against refusal to evict any unauthorised occupant.

The leader of the Independent group, Mr Asaduzzaman Khan, seeking disapproval of the amending ordinance said the original ordinance besides imposing absolute curb on the disposal of immovable property also caused immense suffering to members of the majority community. In this connection, he referred to certain restrictions in the judicial process in a case involving minorities. He, however, commended the provision for appeal against refusal to evict unauthorised occupants. One of the two amendments moved by Mr Asaduzzaman was accepted by the House but his more important amendment, on the time-limit imposed on officials for disposal of application, was rejected. The member had sought that if the officials failed to dispose of applications within specified time-limit, the application or appeal as the case may be should be deemed to have been allowed.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2018