Chief Information Commissioner Martuza Ahmed has called for ensuring free flow of information. “To get information is the right of people. Information access must be open for all in all government offices from union to district level. The government employees have to ensure free flow of information for the people as the government employees are servant of the people,” he said.
He also said that the responsible officer would be liable for fine of Tk 5,000 for refusing to provide information. The Information Commission will fine the responsible officer if evidence in this regard has been proved. Departmental action will also be taken against the official, he added.
Martuza Ahmed was speaking as the chief guest at a meeting on ‘Right to Information Act-2009’ at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Sunamganj on Monday.
DC of Sunamganj Mohammad Abdul Ahad presided over the meeting, while Deputy Director of Information Commission Taufiqul Alom, Police Super of Sunamganj Mijanur Rahman Mijan, Deputy Director of Local Government Division Mohammad Emran Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC-general) of Sunamganj Mohammad Shariful Islam, ADC (Education & ICT) Harun-or-Rashid, District Primary Education Officer Zillur Rahman, Deputy Director of District Social Service Office Suchitra Roy, District Information Officer Anwar Hossain and others were present at the event.
Martuza Ahmed said that accountability has to be ensured in development expenditure. Work of a significant number of development projects is going on in the country. “We shouldn’t spoil the development through corruption. Advantage of development should reach to all. Social stability should be introduced,” he said.
He, however, said that the people should also apply in particular forms for getting information.
The Chief Information Commissioner call all concerned to play roles to make the people aware of Rights to Information Act. He called upon the journalists to come forward to create public awareness in stepping up enforcement of the act in the country.