President asks ICB to be more active to stop harassment of information-seekers

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked the Information Commission Bangladesh (ICB) to be more active so that no one is subjected to any harassment to get information.

The President came up with the directive as a four-member ICB delegation handed over the “Information Commission’s Annual Report 2023” to him at the Bangabhaban here this noon.

“It is the right of the people to have access to information … Be aware so that no one is harassed in the process of getting the information when necessary,” the head of state said.

The four-member delegation led by Chief Information Commissioner Dr. Abdul Malek submitted the “Information Commission Annual Report 2023” to the President.

Other delegation members were: Information Commissioners – Shahidul Alam Zinuk and Masuda Bhatti and ICB Commission Secretary Zubaida Nasreen.

Later, President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS that during the meeting, the President was apprised by the chief information commissioner about various aspects of the annual report and the overall activities of the ICB.

President Shahabuddin said the role of the Right to Information Act is very important to ensure transparency and accountability of state activities.

He said the Information Commission should be proactive in performing its duties immediately in necessary cases.

The President thanked the Information Commission Bangladesh for being elected as an executive member of International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC).

He expressed satisfaction over the overall functioning of the ICB.

The Information Commission will intensify its activities to ensure the constitutional and fundamental rights of the people by carefully removing barriers, the President hoped.

Dr. Malek said the commission has received one lakh 56 thousand information-seekers applications and most of those have been provided so far.

He said the ICB is working continuously to create public awareness at the grassroots level about the Right to Information Act.

He sought the cooperation of the President in doing the overall activities of the ICB.

President’s Office Secretary Md Wahidul Islam Khan, Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin and Military Secretary Major General SM Salahuddin Islam were present there. (BSS)