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Greater awareness on RTI Act stressed


By BSS
Published : 29 Sep 2022 08:52 PM

Speakers at a discussion here today said that "Access to information is the human rights of every citizen.”

The Constitution of Bangladesh has enshrined the right to information as an indispensible part of freedom of thought and conscience, it added.

They said that the media also can play a vital role to create greater awareness among the people about the necessity of the law.

They said these while addressing a meeting held at the conference room of Khulna Deputy Commissioner (DC) marking the International RTI Day-2022, organized by Khulna Divisional and District Administrations with DC Md Moniruzzaman Talukder in the chair.

Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Zillur Rahman Chowdhury addressed the meeting as chief guest while Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md Abdur Rashid, Superintendent of Police Md Mahbub Hasan, Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Ahmed addressed as special guests.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture Md Hafizur Rahman, Deputy Information Officer of PID in Khulna region Zinat Ara Ahmed, Director of Social Welfare Department Md Abdur Rahman, Presidents of Khulna Press Club, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) and Khulna Lawyers Association S M Nazrul Islam, Md Faruk Ahmed and Advocate Saiful Islam, among others, addressed.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Mukul Kumar Maitra delivered the welcome speech while area coordinator of Sachetan Nagarik Committee (SANAK) Md Abdullah Al Mamun presented the keynote paper.

This act has opened up the door for journalists seeking information. This will help reduce corruption, irregularities and mismanagement as well as ensure the rights to know, they added.

Speakers said some dishonest officials used to try to hide information. If the RTI act is properly implemented, the officials will be bound to release the necessary information.

The chief guest said without fairness and accountability for establishing good governess is not possible. “Establishment of good governess can be possible if six tools will implemented at government offices,” he said, adding that these tools are RTI, Innovation, citizen charter, GRS, NIS and web portal.

“Both information senders and receivers will be aware as RTI act was passed for the wellbeing of the citizen so, information will be opened for all,” he said.

Later, the chief guest distributed prizes among the winners of different competition. Leaders of civil society, NGO representatives and local journalists, among others, attended the meeting.