DHAKA: The cabinet Monday approved the draft Sand Field and Soil Management Act-2010, with measures meant for checking indiscriminate quarrying of sand and soil.

A meeting of the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also asked the authorities concerned to examine matters related to the formation of an ICT Capacity Development Company.

Besides the two agenda, the cabinet discussed the issue of frequent road accidents—the latest one killing two government high officials.

After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad informed journalists about the discussions held at the cabinet meeting.

Azad said according to the new Sand Field and Soil Management Act, the divisional commissioners as the supreme authority would be assigned to lease out the sand quarries.

“From now on, the divisional commissioners need not to come to the ministry for this purpose,” he said. “Besides, the areas of the rivers have been fixed for extracting soil.”

BDST: 1614 HRS. AUG 02, 20133330