Dhaka Tribune: Dhaka: Wednesday,
18 December 2024.
Since the implementation of the Right to Information Act in the country, it has played a significant role in raising public awareness, particularly in rural areas
The Right to Information
(RTI) Forum has demanded the interim government, in accordance with Section
14(1) of the Right to Information Act 2009, to urgently form a selection
committee comprising five members and take immediate action to appoint the
chief information commissioner and information commissioners.
The RTI Forum said in the backdrop of the country's revolutionary changes in July-August the resignation of three commissioners of the Information Commission in September led to a three-month suspension of all activities of the Bangladesh Information Commission.
This has disrupted the proper functioning of the Right to Information Law.
The Right to Information Act 2009 is a very important law in Bangladesh, which guarantees all citizens the right to access the information held by the government.
Through this law, the public can collect necessary information from all types of government and certain semi-governmental organizations, ensuring transparency in their operations.
It plays a significant role in preventing corruption, ensuring accountability of government officials, raising public awareness about government work, improving public service standards, and strengthening the relationship between the government and the people.
There is no alternative to this law when it comes to establishing good governance and accountability of government institutions.
When responsible officials of the authorities refuse or express their inability to provide information or neglect their duties, the public has no remedy.
Public complaints are being deprived of hearings, disputes remain unresolved, and no solutions are being found.
Since the implementation of the Right to Information Act in the country, it has played a significant role in raising public awareness, particularly in rural areas.
The law has been notably used to collect information regarding agriculture, education, health, government and NGO project implementations, local administration, and local government. However, challenges remain.
There is still a lack of awareness about this law among the general public. In many cases, information officers in departments show reluctance toward the law, and the long delays in the information provision process, along with tendencies to conceal information, have hindered the law's effectiveness.
In this situation, the RTI Forum believes that if the commissioners of the Bangladesh Information Commission are not appointed for a prolonged period, it will harm this vital law, negatively affecting the free flow of information and discouraging the public from utilizing this crucial law.
Since the implementation of the Right to Information Act in the country, it has played a significant role in raising public awareness, particularly in rural areas
The RTI Forum said in the backdrop of the country's revolutionary changes in July-August the resignation of three commissioners of the Information Commission in September led to a three-month suspension of all activities of the Bangladesh Information Commission.
This has disrupted the proper functioning of the Right to Information Law.
The Right to Information Act 2009 is a very important law in Bangladesh, which guarantees all citizens the right to access the information held by the government.
Through this law, the public can collect necessary information from all types of government and certain semi-governmental organizations, ensuring transparency in their operations.
It plays a significant role in preventing corruption, ensuring accountability of government officials, raising public awareness about government work, improving public service standards, and strengthening the relationship between the government and the people.
There is no alternative to this law when it comes to establishing good governance and accountability of government institutions.
When responsible officials of the authorities refuse or express their inability to provide information or neglect their duties, the public has no remedy.
Public complaints are being deprived of hearings, disputes remain unresolved, and no solutions are being found.
Since the implementation of the Right to Information Act in the country, it has played a significant role in raising public awareness, particularly in rural areas.
The law has been notably used to collect information regarding agriculture, education, health, government and NGO project implementations, local administration, and local government. However, challenges remain.
There is still a lack of awareness about this law among the general public. In many cases, information officers in departments show reluctance toward the law, and the long delays in the information provision process, along with tendencies to conceal information, have hindered the law's effectiveness.
In this situation, the RTI Forum believes that if the commissioners of the Bangladesh Information Commission are not appointed for a prolonged period, it will harm this vital law, negatively affecting the free flow of information and discouraging the public from utilizing this crucial law.
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