Parliament passes Right to Information Bill
Monday, 30 March 2009
Parliament Sunday passed a bill on the long-awaited Right to Information Act to guarantee free flow of information in the country, reports UNB.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad moved the Right to Information Bill 2009 that was passed by voice vote.
In the objective of the bill it is stated that the bill was moved "to ensure right to information in order to establish transparency and accountability of government, government and autonomous and foreign-funded non-governmental organizations, reduce corruption and establish good governance".
It is also said that in the constitution of the country it is recognized as one of the fundamental rights to ensure freedom of thoughts, expression and conscience.
"It is part and parcel to ensure freedom of thoughts, expression and conscience for right to information. People are the supreme owner for a republic. It is mandatory to ensure right to information for empowering the people," says the bill.
Three more bills were placed in Parliament.
Land Minister M Rezaul Karim Hira moved the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (Land Accusation) Bill 2009, Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandaker moved the Public Procurement (amendment) Bill 2009 and Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun moved the Law and Order Disturbance Offences (Speedy Trial) (amendment) Bill 2009.
All the bills were sent to the respective parliamentary standing committees for further scrutiny.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad moved the Right to Information Bill 2009 that was passed by voice vote.
In the objective of the bill it is stated that the bill was moved "to ensure right to information in order to establish transparency and accountability of government, government and autonomous and foreign-funded non-governmental organizations, reduce corruption and establish good governance".
It is also said that in the constitution of the country it is recognized as one of the fundamental rights to ensure freedom of thoughts, expression and conscience.
"It is part and parcel to ensure freedom of thoughts, expression and conscience for right to information. People are the supreme owner for a republic. It is mandatory to ensure right to information for empowering the people," says the bill.
Three more bills were placed in Parliament.
Land Minister M Rezaul Karim Hira moved the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (Land Accusation) Bill 2009, Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandaker moved the Public Procurement (amendment) Bill 2009 and Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun moved the Law and Order Disturbance Offences (Speedy Trial) (amendment) Bill 2009.
All the bills were sent to the respective parliamentary standing committees for further scrutiny.