'Tk 5lakh fine, one yr jail for occupying khas land'

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said none can set up any haat and bazar (market) without taking prior permission from the government.

He said the decision came today as the cabinet approved Haat and Bazar (establish and management) Act, 2022 in principle to replace an Ordinance of 1959 regarding the matter to make it time befitting. 

As per the proposed law, if anyone or a group of people illegally occupy Khas land of any haat and bazar and construct any establishment then every person will be fined not more than Tk 5 lakh or jailed for one year or both.

He said: "If any haat or bazar is set up in any area, the government will take that land as Khas land."

There are 26 articles in the proposed law.

As per the provisions, the district administration and government will manage the lands of haat or bazar and no land can be transferred permanently.