DHAKA, Jun 4, 2024 (BSS) - Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Additional Charge) Prof Dr Muhammad Alamgir today urged all concerned to shun the existing culture of privacy to ensure the free flow of information.

“Although providing information is made mandatory as per law, the flow of information is being hindered due to the negative mindset of the authorities concerned,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a daylong training programme titled “Increase Public Awareness about the RTI Act and Implementation of the RTI Action Plan” held at UGC headquarters here, according to a press release.

Terming the Right to Information (RTI) Act as a people-friendly one, Prof Alamgir said society must be prepared first to ensure the proper implementation of this law. Failure of any of the parties involved in providing information hinders the timely providing of information, he said.

“Providing information to all should be considered equally as a civic duty rather than an obligation,” he added.

Mentioning that sometimes information cannot be provided and made instantaneous due to a lack of a proper storage system for institutional information, the UGC chairman called upon all concerned to modernise the information storage system.

UGC Secretary Ferdous Jaman was present as the special guest in the training program with Public Relations and Right to Information Division director of UGC Dr. Shamsul Arefin in the chair.