The Daily Star: Dhaka: Thursday,
September 29, 2016.
President
Abdul Hamid yesterday urged all concerned to work together to ensure the
empowerment of people through proper implementation of the Right to Information
(RTI) Act.
“Free flow of
information is a driving force of democracy and good governance. There's a
direct link between socio-economic development and free flow of information.
The level of development is high in a country where availability of information
is ensured,” he said.
The president
was addressing a programme, marking the International Right to Information Day,
organised by Information Commission in the capital's Osmani Memorial Hall.
Hamid said,
“There's a connection between corruption and underdevelopment. The optimum use
of information for public welfare gradually decreases the degree of corruption
in society, politics, economics and state-machinery. As a result, it is the
common people who get the benefit of it.”
He said
information shows people the path to establish their rights and remove corruption
and abominable practices from society. “… darkness takes people to the ominous
path and insufficiency of information spreads corruption in society.”
There are
many challenges in implementing Right to Information act, observed the
president adding, “We'll have to face those challenges for the welfare of the
country and its people.”
He also said,
"No one gives others their rights, it has to be realised. So people will
have to be active to realise their right in getting information. Establishing rights
make people responsible and dutiful.”
The president
also stressed providing all types of cooperation to the Information Commission
in strengthening further the democratic system.
Information
Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Chief Information Commissioner Prof M Golam Rahman,
Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed, information commissioners- Nepal Chandra
Sarker and Prof Khurshida Begum Sayeed and RTI Forum convener Shaheen Anam
spoke on the occasion.
The president
also stressed providing all types of cooperation to the Information Commission
in strengthening further the democratic system.
Information
Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Chief Information Commissioner Prof M Golam Rahman,
Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed, information commissioners- Nepal Chandra
Sarker and Prof Khurshida Begum Sayeed and RTI Forum convener Shaheen Anam
spoke on the occasion.
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