Jagonews24: Bangladesh: Friday, 18 July 2025.
The interim government is set to overhaul the Right to Information Act, 2009, with amendments aimed at enhancing access to government information and imposing stricter penalties for obstruction.
The Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, acting on recommendations from the Public
Administration Reform Commission, has drafted changes to four key sections of
the law, increasing fines for denying information fivefold, from Tk 5,000 to Tk
25,000.
Strengthening transparency
The Public Administration Reform Commission, in its February 5, 2025, report to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, urged a review of the RTI Act to ensure citizens can easily access government service-related information.
The commission proposed specific amendments, which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has incorporated into a revised draft.
Khadija Tahera Bobby, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, told Jago News, “We’ve held inter-ministerial meetings and are collecting opinions on the draft until July 31. The law will be amended soon after completing all processes.”
Key amendments to the RTI Act
The draft amendments target sections 5, 6, 7, and 27 of the RTI Act 2009, focusing on information preservation, disclosure, exemptions, and penalties:
Section 5 (Preservation of Information): Authorities must catalog and index all information, storing it appropriately, including digitising records for nationwide network access. This ensures timely responses to information requests and enhances accessibility through computer-based storage.
Section 6 (Disclosure of Information): Authorities are mandated to proactively publish and disseminate information, including budgets, financial reports, audit outcomes, procurement processes, tender results, and contract details. This aims to ensure transparency in government operations and spending.
Section 7 (Exemptions): Two new sub-sections allow authorities to disclose certain information in the public interest, even if previously exempt, broadening access in specific cases.
Section 27 (Penalties): The penalty for obstructing access to information will rise from Tk 50 per day (up to Tk 5,000) to Tk 250 per day (up to Tk 25,000). If obstruction is found to conceal wrongdoing or corruption, imposing a fine becomes mandatory, signalling a zero-tolerance approach.
A push for accountability
The amendments reflect the interim government’s commitment to fostering transparency and accountability, addressing long-standing barriers to information access.
The fivefold penalty increase aims to deter deliberate obstruction, particularly in cases involving corruption.
The draft also emphasises proactive disclosure, requiring authorities to publish detailed financial and operational data to empower citizens.
As the consultation period wraps up by July 31, 2025, the ministry is poised to finalise the amendments, marking a significant step toward a more open and accountable governance system in Bangladesh.
The interim government is set to overhaul the Right to Information Act, 2009, with amendments aimed at enhancing access to government information and imposing stricter penalties for obstruction.
Strengthening transparency
The Public Administration Reform Commission, in its February 5, 2025, report to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, urged a review of the RTI Act to ensure citizens can easily access government service-related information.
The commission proposed specific amendments, which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has incorporated into a revised draft.
Khadija Tahera Bobby, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, told Jago News, “We’ve held inter-ministerial meetings and are collecting opinions on the draft until July 31. The law will be amended soon after completing all processes.”
Key amendments to the RTI Act
The draft amendments target sections 5, 6, 7, and 27 of the RTI Act 2009, focusing on information preservation, disclosure, exemptions, and penalties:
Section 5 (Preservation of Information): Authorities must catalog and index all information, storing it appropriately, including digitising records for nationwide network access. This ensures timely responses to information requests and enhances accessibility through computer-based storage.
Section 6 (Disclosure of Information): Authorities are mandated to proactively publish and disseminate information, including budgets, financial reports, audit outcomes, procurement processes, tender results, and contract details. This aims to ensure transparency in government operations and spending.
Section 7 (Exemptions): Two new sub-sections allow authorities to disclose certain information in the public interest, even if previously exempt, broadening access in specific cases.
Section 27 (Penalties): The penalty for obstructing access to information will rise from Tk 50 per day (up to Tk 5,000) to Tk 250 per day (up to Tk 25,000). If obstruction is found to conceal wrongdoing or corruption, imposing a fine becomes mandatory, signalling a zero-tolerance approach.
A push for accountability
The amendments reflect the interim government’s commitment to fostering transparency and accountability, addressing long-standing barriers to information access.
The fivefold penalty increase aims to deter deliberate obstruction, particularly in cases involving corruption.
The draft also emphasises proactive disclosure, requiring authorities to publish detailed financial and operational data to empower citizens.
As the consultation period wraps up by July 31, 2025, the ministry is poised to finalise the amendments, marking a significant step toward a more open and accountable governance system in Bangladesh.
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