River Accident
Minister for severer penalty
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday laid emphasis on amendment of the related law to increase penalty for river accidents.
The river accident penalty is very low compared to the level of the offence, and so the Inland Shipping Ordinance (ISO)-1976 should be amended to increase it, he said.
The ISO awards five years of imprisonment or Tk 1 lakh fine or both for a river accident as the maximum punishment. In addition, the vessel owners can be charged as much as Tk 5 lakh as compensation.
Shajahan Khan made his observation while disclosing a brief summary of three probe reports on the Meghna launch tragedy at a press conference at his ministry.
At least 147 travellers died as a Dhaka-bound passenger launch from Shariatpur sank after colliding with a cargo vessel in Munshiganj in the Meghna River on March 13.
The three probe reports blame incompetent operators, overloading of goods, and movement of cargo vessels for the accident. The launch was carrying some 220-240 people and about eight to nine tonnes of goods.
A compliation of the three reports has made a 24-point recommendation, including penal action against owners and staff of both cargo and passenger vessels.
The shipping minister said punitive actions would be taken against those responsible for the Meghna tragedy and the recommendations of the reports would be implemented to ensure river safety. Cases have been filed against owners of both the vessels, he said.
Shajahan Khan said training would be arranged for launch drivers and masters, river transport census would be conducted, and two more salvage vessels would be procured.
The recommendations also include enforcement of the embargo on overnight movement of cargo vessels and amendment to the ISO-1976.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments