Info commissioner calls for digitalisation of records

There is an urgent need to manage Government records if the Right to Information Act has to be implemented properly. Presently there is low computerization, and by and large records are maintained in paper form.
These are some of the findings of a research paper research on 'Improving transparency through Right to Information and e- Governance: Bangladesh Perspective' by Mohammad Hasan Murad, lecturer of department of Law, International Islamic University Chittagong Lack of budgetary allocation, poor categorisation and filing systems are not conducive to delivering information quickly. Further there is neither trained manpower nor relevant technology to deliver information to the people.
In his research findings Murad mentions that Government offices and NGOs will need a fresh allocation of funds and intensive training so that information from Government offices are made accessible.
Political commitments have created high expectations among citizens but there is no specific plan of action implement RTI, Murad said.
He further added that the mindset of Government employees deters access to information. In the past it is often observed that the government offices are always reluctant or not quick enough to release information, he said.
Murad also said, public officials may feel uncertain and insecure about what and how much to disclose and where to draw the line unless the exemptions are made clear by rules and balance of interest test is developed.
Confessing the limitation of the poor information record system Prof. Dr Sadeka Halim, Information Commissioner told the Independent that it was a new culture for the country, therefore it will take time to make the officers responsive.
"A set of guidelines has been prepared for the maintenance and dissemination of information. It has been sent to the Law ministry for further amendment." She said. She further added that, a handbook on RTI had been prepared where we have explained how to maintain and disseminate information to the people.
Dr Sadeka said information should be digitalised so that record can be properly maintained and made accessible to the people. She underscored the need for sufficient budgetary allocation and proper training of officials.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), pioneer in the use of RTI in the country told 'The Independent' that there were also issues of capacity and putting in place systems and infrastructures which would make it possible to provide as well as access information.
Anam said, "we have already tied up with with Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BAPTC) to provide basic training to the designated officials on RTI".
"Training will begin as soon as possible and a total of four lakh officials from the Government and NGO's will be trained,phe added.
"I strongly believe that with enactment of the RTI Act, a strong foundation for institutionalising a democratic and corruption free society has been built. But it is in the initial stages and there are challenges ahead before it attains momentum," Shaheen Anam added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director Transparency International of Bangladesh (TIB), in his article on 'Implementing Right to Information in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Challenges' said, the powerful can be brought closer to the powerless by enforcing people's right to information as well as sharing and disclosing information. It can turn out to be the most effective catalyst for institutionalization of democracy, promotion of good governance and control of corruption, he said.
He also said, given the expectations created by the high-profile political commitments, right to information needs to be placed in a strategic framework and a plan of action with specific time frame.
Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, head of News of Boishakhi TV told 'The Independent' that the Information Commission was sincerely interested in easing the flow of information.