Info Commission must assert mandate: activists

The Information Commission has to play a pivotal role in upholding the true spirit of Right to Information (RTI) Act -- not only for people’s empowerment but also for enhancing  the government’s image, noted RTI advocates said at a seminar in the capital yesterday.

“The Information Commission must assert its legal mandate to make public information accessible,” said Md Abdul Halim, a Supreme Court advocate and RTI activist.

Halim pointed out to the chief information commissioner, present at the seminar, that neither the Supreme Court nor any lower court and tribunal across the country has a designated officer to facilitate disclosure of much-needed public information to justice seekers.

Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) organised the seminar on the findings of a 15-month project titled “Advancing Accountability and Transparency through the RTI” at Cirdap auditorium. It was funded by National Endowment for Democracy.

Project Coordinator Ruhi Naz in a presentation said a total of 4,700 RTI applications were filed under the project in view of government’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals and achievement of its seventh five-year national development plan, and created 70 RTI activists.

Of the total applications, 58 percent received full and partial responses with information from various public offices, while 34 percent received no response with eight percent are still pending, she said.

Of the non-responded applications, 437 were forwarded to the appellate authorities and 57 to Information Commission as complaints, she added. The project was undertaken on the premise that RTI is not being applied adequately, she said. The RTI applications are not merely meant for individual needs, it also provides an idea of how far the government development programmes have achieved desired goals, the project coordinator said.

The application of RTI law would benefit both individuals and the government alike, said RIB Chairperson Shamsul Bari.

RTI not only helps achieve people’s entitlement and welfare, but also effective function of the government, said Badiul Alam Majumdar, country director of The Hunger Project Bangladesh.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation and convener of RTI Forum, said nurturing more RTI activists and holding consistency in the process are both essential. “The RTI law reflects all the constitutional entitlements of citizens,” she said.

“The Information Commission alone is not sufficient, a tangible role of the information ministry is equally required for achieving the goals of RTI law,” she added.

Chief Information Commissioner Martuza Ahmed said the commission has its own limitations in playing an expected vibrant role.