International Day for Right to Information was observed here today in a befitting manner through holding rally and discussion meeting.
A colorful rally participated by students, Ngo men and officials paraded the main thoroughfares of the town with a big banner and slogans to create awareness among the people about their right to know the information from the government, semi-government and other service oriented organizations.
The discussion meeting held the conference room of DC was chaired by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Taslima Ali DC Atul Sarkar attended as the chief guest.
At the very outset of the discussion meeting Program Coordinator of local unit of TIB Prakash Kumer Biswas made a power point presentation on Right to Information law.
Speakers at the discussion meeting stressed the need for creating awareness among the citizens about practicing and using the right to information law particularly at grass root levels because the rural people en-mass do not know about the law which is their right as sanctioned by the government.
Speakers said that for an open and democratic society, reducing poverty, curbing corruption and enhancing transparency enforcement and practice of right to information is very important where foreign investment and public procurement form a huge chunk in less developed countries.
It was disclosed in the meeting that after enactment of the law so far TIB and other NGOs received several complaints about non supplying information by some service rendering organizations in this district. Speakers laid emphasis on the appointment of Designated Officers in all offices and need to publicize it widely.
DC Atul Sarkar in his speech said that information is power to ensure transparency and accountability for eliminating corruption from our country. Information in any form must be true which would help to remove corruption from the society, he said.
He urged upon the attending persons in the meeting to feed him with information about her own office or even offices at the upazilla levels so that he can take appropriate action to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. He also said that it was a bold step of the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her 75th birthday and wished her a long and healthy life.
ADC (Education & ICT) Md. Saiful Kabir said that the development implementing agencies should always display the detailed information of the ongoing projects so the people of the area can know of the project. This would help prevent help reduce corruption, he added.
ADM Taslima Ali, the chair of the discussion meeting stressed the need for the change of outlook and mind set of both service rendering offices and service receivers for the success of the law.
The discussion meeting was participated among others by SANAK Faridpur chapter president Advocate Shipra Goshwami, Additional Police Super Helaluddin Ahmed, educationist Prof. Md. Shahjahan, Principal of Sarada Sundary Collge Prof. Kazi Golam Mostofa, Prof. Rezvi Zaman of Govt. Rajendra College and Programmer of DC office. The discussion meeting was conducted by NDC Ashiq Ahmed.