'Information rights must be implemented to build a corruption-free Bangladesh'

Chief Information Commissioner Dr. Abdul Malek had said that the right to information must be implemented to build a corruption-free, beautiful and Smart Bangladesh.

Noting that Bangladesh ranks 26th among 127 countries in terms of right to information, he said: "Bangladesh has been given this status because it is vigilant in providing information."

He said this while addressing Public awareness meeting on Right to Information Act 2009 in Mymensingh on Tuesday, organized by Information Commission Bangladesh and Mymensingh District Administration.

Chief Information Commissioner was present as the chief guest in the meeting while Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Didare Alam Mohammad Maksud Chowdhury, Information Commissioners Shahidul Islam Jhinuk and Masuda Bhatti were present as special guests.

The chief guest said that Sheikh Hasina implemented the Right to Information Act when she became the Prime Minister for the second time in order to build the Sonar Bangla as per Bangabandhu's dream. "In continuation of this, work is being done in 13 upazilas of Mymensingh district."

This public awareness meeting is organized with the aim of increasing public awareness about information rights as the common people of Bangladesh are not properly aware of information rights, he added.

"The Prime Minister passed this law for the sake of the people and for ensuring the accountability of the government's actions. This law is designed to eliminate exploitation, extortion and corruption. Even though 14 years have passed, the benefits of the Information Act have not yet been fully realised. Work is still going on across the country to get the results."

The Chief Information Commissioner also said that people have the right to seek information from all departments, except the information that are prohibited by the law. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has opened up the government's management activities with the aim of building a Smart Bangladesh.

He told the officers of government, private and NGO institutions that all information must be preserved and the departments will be obliged to provide information. "All information should be uploaded on the website and an information officer should be appointed in this regard."