[B]Dhaka, September 28,2010. [/B]Civil Society (CSO) leaders have urge to the government to ensure full transparency in handling of all climate and development related funds. The demand was raised from a human chain program held to observe the global day of “RIGHT to Know” in front of the national press club. Led by EquityBD it was participated by activists from18 other CSO and NGO bodies.They also demanded that the government to carry out necessary administrative reforms in the system of governance for effective implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act) to ensure uninterrupted flow of news at all levels. They claimed that the government is showing every reluctance and delaying implementation of the act. It is also not working with speed for setting up the information commission which is part of the new law.They blamed the government for failing to designate an information officer at local district levels, especially at the upazila level on priority basis. The government is not also taking a proactive role on what sort of information will be disclosed to mass. Speakers criticised the government for avoiding inclusion of CSO representation in Climate funds management. Such failure will only strengthen the hand of bureaucracy and accelerate corruption.
They claimed the government to disclose all loan agreements made with different bilateral and multilateral agencies and asked the authorities to frame a proper implementation policy for the newly formed climate funds of the government.
The programme was moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD and speakers on the occasion included Prodip Kumar from Online Knodledge Center, Mahabubur Hasan of CDP, Firoj Ahmed from Lead Trust, Badrul Alam from Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF), Tushar Rahaman and Syed Aminul Hoque.
Participant bodies in the event included Arpon, BKF, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, CDP, Citizen Rights Movement, DCI, DORA, EquityBD, Krishani Shova, Lead Trust, Manusher Janno Foundation (MJF), NSS On line knowledge Center, Prodip, Prottasha, Purbasha, Sirjganj Flood Forum, UDDIPAN and United People Trust.
