Setting Up Info Delivery Unit
Zamir unhappy over NGOs' noncompliance
Chief Information Commissioner Muhammad Zamir expressed disappointment at non-government organisations (NGO) for remaining unresponsive despite repeated reminders to open Information Delivery Units.
It is just shameful and clear that they are not cooperating in this regard. “We have not taken any action against them but they should keep in mind that there is a possibility that their licences can be cancelled because of their negative attitude,” Zamir said.
He was addressing an inaugural session of Sylhet divisional training workshop of designated officers under RTI law 2009 at Sylhet Zila Parishad hall yesterday.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Abu Syed Muhammad Hashim, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner AB Barua and Deputy Inspector General of Police Moqbul Hossain Bhuiyan also spoke at the programme, chaired by Divisional Commissioner NM Ziaul Alam.
Zamir said there is a hunch that these 1,000 or so NGOs, mostly receiving funds from abroad and some getting assistance from the government, did not open the units because they lack transparency.
He said almost all the government offices already set up the units but so far names of only 7,000 of at least 20,000 designated officials reached the commission.
Zamir said all Bangladeshi citizens should be made aware mainly on Article 7 in Chapter 2 of RTI Act, which specifies 20 grounds for an authority not to provide information. One such ground is information that could pose a threat to national security, integrity and sovereignty of Bangladesh.
Zamir said if citizens knew the law, no one could refuse to provide them with information or harass them.
Emphasising on raising awareness on right to information, Information Commissioner Sadeka Halim said media could play an important role in this regard.
She described it very regrettable that most officers designated to provide information did not read the law and so cannot discharge their duties properly.
She requested journalists to thoroughly read the law properly and help the commission in disseminating it.
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