DCs seek help to implement RTI

Deputy Commissioners have sought government help to implement the Right to Information Act at the field level.

"The DCs have spoken of the hurdles they face in implementing the act. They also want the law to be made effective and realistic," Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu told reporters on Thursday after a session on the third day of the deputy commissioners’ (DC) conference.

The Right to Information Ordinance was passed under the military-backed caretaker regime in October 2008.

File Photo

After the Awami League government took office, it passed the Right to Information Act on March 29, 2009. The Information Commission was formed on July 1 the same year.

"The session discussed how the public administration could implement government policies by staying by the side of the people in line with the Constitution and in a democratic atmosphere," said the minister.

He said the session did not discuss the proposal of giving DCs the power to cancel newspaper declarations.

"Every year, the DCs place some proposals generated from their experience. That happened this time also. But this is not the forum to discuss it."

On Wednesday, Inu had told the media that the government was not concerned about the Press and Publications Act at this moment.