Right to Information (RTI)
Our Information Commission has mettle after all
In the last few months, we have received some very encouraging feedback from users of the RTI law about the Information Commission's work.
If your court case is stuck for lack of evidence, try RTI
Indications of the growing maturity of RTI Act users and the increasing willingness of public officials to abide by its provisions are indeed welcome developments.
Information Commission’s key role in ensuring right to information
Citizens’ right to monitor, probe and question the work of their governments is essential for democracy.
Right to information at home and abroad
The first case was brought to our attention by RTI activists promoting the law at the grassroots level in Bangladesh.
Government starts to nurture the fledgling RTI regime
In recent weeks, two important government ministers—Law Minister Mr Anisul Huq, and Information Minister Mr Hasan Mahmud—have given vocal support to a fuller implementation of our national Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The right to ask for information and the obligation to provide it
Arunendu works for the Rangamati Hill District Council in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. He is known for his dedication and commitment to public service.
Right to Information - Is it catching on in Bangladesh?
NGO experience shows that many RTI applications from marginalised communities do not get recorded as those who obtain benefits by simply using the law do not care about receiving a formal response. Officials concerned also do not wish to record applications and may even avoid reporting them to concerned offices, as they often resort to irregular practices to dispose them off.
POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE / Digital Bangladesh - Right to information and climate finance
Unfortunately, so far, our performance on both transparency as well as accountability has not been very good. Fortunately, there is still time to improve this before the major climate change funds begin to flow.
Right to Information / Welcoming the new CIC
Unfortunately, citizens are yet to rise to the occasion and play a meaningful role to take the law forward. Demands for information are yet to pour into government offices in large numbers to test the system.
Is RTI bringing any real change?
During the International Right to Information Week celebrations recently, a common question in people's mind was: Is the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI) going in the right direction?
Challenging irregularities in the Education Sector
A common reaction of most people about the RTI Act is a lack of trust in its efficacy. It is this general lack of faith in the willingness of public officials to break away from the age-old culture of official secrecy...
The people's law
What is encouraging to note is that this time the government has come forward to break the culture of secrecy. That's why the RTI law has a provision of pro-active disclosure.
Children of democracy
RELIGIOUS sensitivity has deepened since the advent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime.
