Sherpur Correspondent

 An advocacy meeting titled "Information is Power, Information is Freedom" on the Right to Information and accessing public services was held in Sherpur.

Organized by the civic platform Janaudyog Sherpur Committee, the meeting took place on Friday in the Chaitankhila Taragar area under Pakuria Union of Sherpur Sadar Upazila.

Chaired by Mazharul Islam, President of the Shaheed Mahbub Alam Welfare Foundation, the event featured addresses by District Social Services Office official Poet Hasan Sharafat, web developer Minhaj Uddin, Janaudyog Convenor Abul Kalam Azad, Shaheed Mahbub's mother Mahfuza Begum, CPB leader Solaiman Ahmed, IED IP Fellow Sumanta Barman, and journalist Hakim Babul, among others.

The meeting focused on the Right to Information Act and the utilization of information and communication technology to access services from various public and private offices. Participants were briefed on government financial compensation schemes for casualties caused by natural disasters, including road accidents and lightning strikes.

Furthermore, representatives outlined the procedures for receiving social safety net support from the Department of Social Services, such as old-age allowances, widow allowances, disability allowances, family cards, and medical grants for seven critical illnesses including cancer and heart disease. 

The event was held with overall support from the non-governmental development organization Institute for Environment and Development (IED) and the Shaheed Mahbub Alam Welfare Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Janaudyog Convenor Abul Kalam Azad remarked that increased discussion, handling, and application of information directly contribute to curbing corruption.