Therefore, effective implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2009 is a must for sustainable development, opined speakers at a roundtable discussion on Wednesday held in Barisal on the occasion of 10 year-celebration of the RTI Act-2009, said a press release.

COAST Trust, an NGO, has organised the round table. ‘Manusher Jonno Foundation’ provided support for the event. The roundtable was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akand, Deputy Director of COAST Trust. 

Mostafa Kamal Akand, Deputy Director of COAST Trust, said that the RTI Act 2009 is a rare form of law, that can be used as a powerful tool for mass people to enforce human rights. According to a recent report, under this law, on an average 7,000 applications are being submitted. 

Due to various reasons, the number of requests for information is decreasing. In order to increase this and to ensure the free flow of information, government officials as well as the common people have to be made more aware, he added.

Anwar Zahid, Divisional president of BD CSO-NGO Coordination Process, said that the Right to Information Act has created opportunities for getting information, despite many others have created hostility in this regard. If the adversities are not removed, the law will not bring benefit, Zahid said.

Abul Kalam Azad, President of the Barisal Metropolitan Press Club, said that the digital security act needs amendments to ensure public participation in the development process through the Right to Information Act. 

Shubhankar Chakraborty, Executive Director of MAP Barisal, said that “We have to come out of our long-standing culture of keeping information secret or not to provide information. For this, the initiative must be taken by both the public and private parties”.

Gopal Sarker, President of the Barisal Journalist Union, said that to ensure sustainable development, grassroots people have to give an idea about the importance of information. In this case, the Union Parishad and the Union Digital Center can play important role. But due to various limitations, digital centers are not able to provide desired services. Allocation of adequate fund is required for the centers.

Israt Jahan Lovely, Barisal City Corporation Councilor, Rehana Rehman Yasmin, Barisal Metropolitan correspondent of Bangladesh Betar, Human rights activist Syed  Habibur Rahman, freedom fighter Mohiuddin Manik  Bir  Pratik, President of the Barisal Metropolitan Press Club, Gopal Sarker, President of the Barisal Journalist Union, Monirul Islam, and Upazila Education Officer Jahangir Hossain spoke among others.