<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">The Cabinet on Thursday approved in principle the draft of the Drugs Act, 2022 with harsher punishment for drugs related anomalies and offenses.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Under the draft law, the punishment for such crimes will be&nbsp; maximum 10-year jail with fine of Tk 10 lakh from maximum three-year jail&nbsp; with fine of Tk two lakh fine in the existing law.</div><div><br></div><div>The approval came from the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who joined it through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban.</div><div><br></div><div>Other cabinet members were connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.</div><div><br></div><div>Briefing reporters, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the highest punishment of 10-year imprisonment, Tk 10 lakh penalty or both was kept in several sections of the draft law.</div><div><br></div><div>The offenses, for which the maximum punishment of 10-year jail and Tk 10 lakh fine were kept in the draft law, include producing or importing drugs without licenses; producing, importing, exporting, marketing, stocking, selling or showcasing drugs without registration; producing, selling, stocking or marketing adulterated drugs; and stealing and selling government’s drugs. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>