Dhaka: The Cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of the ‘Civil Aviation Bill 2016’ replacing the existing Civil Aviation Ordinance of 1960.

Since the promulgation of the Ordinance in 1960, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said, the civil aviation sector has witnessed massive changes over the period and there was a binding from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to update the necessary laws.

He said the new law considering the global perspective of the civil aviation sector has expanded the scope of the government for formulating rules like appointing security officials in fights, providing assistance to the victims and their family members in case of accidents, proper utilisation of the national carrier as civil aviation flights, economic development and control of civil aviation.

The Cabinet Secretary said if any foreign aircraft violates Bangladeshi airspace, then the persons responsible for the offence would have to undergo maximum seven years’ imprisonment or maximum Tk two crore as fine.

Besides, safety oversight responsibilities have been ensured in case of bringing any foreign aircraft on lease to Bangladesh or sending any Bangladeshi aircraft on lease to foreign countries.

He, however, said in case of operating flight in a risky way, the pilots concerned would have to undergo maximum five years of jail or fine of Tk one crore.

The Cabinet meeting also approved in principle the draft of the ‘Public Procurement (4th amendment) Bill, 2016’.

Ministers, State Ministers attended and secretaries concerned were present.