Terming the Right to Information Act 'people's strength', speakers Saturday stressed the need for making people aware of the law to exercise it, reports UNB.

They made the opinion at a views-exchange meeting on "Right to Information at the Grassroots" organised by Democracy Watch at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.

The speakers also said the government's existing mechanism has to play an active role in making people know about the law.

Democracy Watch Executive Director Taleya Rehman, Manusher Jonno Foundation Programme Director Sanjida Sobhan and Aparajey-Bangladesh Executive Director Wahida Banu, among others, addressed the meeting with Chairperson of the board of directors of Democracy Watch Prof Latifa Akand in the chair.

Information Commissioner M Abu Taher said though the government and non-governmental organisations were previously reluctant to give information to the commoners, the practice of information dissemination from these organisations is increasing gradually in the country.

He, however, observed that it would take time to come out from the culture of not giving information to the people.

Admitting that there are loopholes in the RTI Act 2009, the information commissioner said it was proper time to bring necessary amendments to the law.